ROMANCE 


I 


Y 


W.  OHAMPNE 


y 


By  ELIZABETH  W,  CHAMPNEY 


ROMANCE  OF  THE  FEUDAL  CHATEAUX. 
ROMANCE  OF  THE  BOURBON  CHATEAUX. 
ROMANCE  OF  THE  FRENCH  ABBEYS. 
ROMANCE  OF  THE  ITALIAN  VILLAS. 
ROMANCE  OF  ROMAN  VILLAS. 

ROMANCE  OF  THE  FRENCH  CHATEAUX 
(FEUDAL— RENAISSANCE— BOURBON). 

ROMANCE  OF  IMPERIAL  ROME. 
ROMANCE  OF  OLD  BELGIUM. 
ROMANCE  OF  OLD  JAPAN. 


Kasuga  Shrine,  Nara 


"  A  rose-red  temple,  half  as  old  as  time  " 

(From  a  water-colour  by  Fr&re  Champney) 


ROMANCE 

OF 

OLD    JAPAN 


BY 

ELIZABETH  W.   CHAMPNEY 

AND 

FRERE    CHAMPNEY 


WITH  96  ILLUSTRATIONS 


G.    P.    PUTNAM'S    SONS 
NEW  YORK  AND  LONDON 

Cbe  Iknicher  bo  cher  press 
1917 


COPYRIGHT.  1917 

BY 
ELIZABETH  W.  CHAMPNEY 


Ube  ttntcherbocfeer  press,  -Rew  fiorfe 


PREFACE 

IN  our  sojourn  in  their  fair  islands,  greeted  every- 
where with  smiling  courtesy  and  kindly  welcome, 
we  were  struck  by  the  likeness  of  this  child-hearted 
folk  to  men  of  gentle  mind  the  world  over. 

Brave,  sensitive,  and  resourceful,  achieving  master- 
pieces of  art  which  the  world  can  scarce  rival,  they 
show  the  keenest  appreciation  of  European  knowledge 
and  inventions,  and  a  wondrous  facility  for  their 
adaptation. 

It  is  the  aim  of  the  authors  to  trace  the  floating 
bubbles  of  romance  which  reveal  the  deeper  tide  of 
history;  to  show  how,  despite  utter  isolation,  Japan 
has  kept  pace  through  the  ages  with  the  march  of 
nations. 

Tradition  tells  of  a  mythology  as  rich  in  poetic 
imagery  as  Ancient  Greece.  Then  dark  ages  lowered, 
until  Shotoku  Taishi,  the  King  Arthur  of  Japan, 
brought  enlightenment. 

The  high  chivalry  of  Richard  Cceur  de  Lion  finds 
its  counterpart  in  Yoshitsune,  the  hero  dearest  to 
Nippon's  heart. 


2031205 


IV 


Preface 


Ere  Drake  delivered  England  from  Spanish  invasion, 
Hojo  repulsed  the  Invincible  Armada  of  the  Mongol 
Khan. 

While  Philip  II.  was  burning  heretics  in  the  Nether- 
lands, leyasu  crucified  the  innocent  disciples  of 
Francis  Xavier,  and  a  Spartan  code  of  honour  wreaked 
the  vengeance  of  the  Ronins. 

Art  and  learning  flowered  under  the  Tokugawa  as 
in  the  golden  days  of  the  Renaissance. 

The  expedition  of  Perry  opened  the  gate  to  world 
power,  for  which  the  triumphs  of  Port  Arthur  and 
Tsushima  proved  Japan's  preparedness. 

Their  National  Art  displays  a  gradual  development 
from  the  naive  sculpture  of  Shotoku,  which  recalls  the 
groping  of  Pre-Raphaelites,  to  the  realistic  modernity 
of  Hokusai. 

Their  Architecture  reveals  an  evolution  from  the 
primitive  simplicity  of  ancient  Nara  to  the  incredible 
magnificence  of  Nikko,  where  art  emerges  from  its 
sombre  chrysalis,  "a  flaunting  butterfly,  painted  with 
the  hues  of  dreams. " 

The  spirit  of  their  Poetry  is  so  exquisitely  elusive, 
the  charm  of  the  thought  half-said  so  truly  untrans- 
latable, that  any  attempt  to  render  literally  its  rare, 
fantastic  grace  must  be  foredoomed  to  failure.  May 
we  then  be  pardoned  if,  in  the  effort  to  suggest  in 
English  a  hint  of  the  original,  we  have  permitted 
ourselves  the  liberty  of  an  overfree  translation. 


Preface 

Nippon 

Immortal  land  of  chivalrous  Japan, 
What  dynasties  of  "heaven-descended"  came 
Since  Amaterasu,  Sun-Goddess  flame, 
First  flushed  the  snow  of  Fujiyama's  fan, 
And  her  great  parents  there  created  man! 
While  Buddha  taught  the  life  aloof  from  blame, 
Monarch  and  minion  fought  for  endless  fame 
And  Minamoto  crushed  Taira's  clan. 

Then  Hojo  saved  the  realm  from  Kublai  Khan, 
And  Xavier  raised  the  Cross  a  little  span, 
The  Tokugawa  kindled  Learning's  light, 
The  Ronins  died  an  ancient  wrong  to  right 
Ere  Perry  oped  the  door  to  Liberty 
And  Togo  swept  the  Tartar  from  the  sea. 


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

The  authors  acknowledge  indebtedness  to  the  follow- 
ing authorities : 

ALCOCK,  SIR  RUTHERFORD.     The  Capital  of  the  Tycoon. 

ASIATIC  TRANSACTIONS,  Publications. 

ASTON,  W.  G.    History  of  Japanese  Literature. 

BRINKLEY,CAPT.  FRANK.  History  of  the  Japanese  People. 

CHAMBERLAIN,  BASIL.     Things  Japanese. 

DAVIS,  F.  HADLAND.    Myths  and  Legends  of  Japan. 

GRIFFIS,  W.  E.     The  Japanese  Nation  in  Evolution. 

HEARN,   LAFCADIO.    Glimpses  of  Unfamiliar  Japan, 
Kotto,  etc. 

HYAKUNIN  ISSHU.    Songs  of  a  Hundred  Poets.  Literal 

Translation  by  Clay  MacCaulay. 

JOLY,  HENRI  L.    Legend  in  Japanese  A rt. 
LONG,  JOHN  LUTHER.    Short  Stories. 
LONGFORD,  J.  H.     The  Story  of  Old  Japan. 


viii  Acknowledgments 

MACLAY.    Mito  Yashiki. 

MITFORD  (LORD  REDESDALE).     Tales  of  Old  Japan. 

MIYAMORI,  A.     Tales  from  Japanese  Dramas. 

MURDOCK,  JAMES,  and  YAMAGATA,  GOH.    History  of 
Japan. 

NOGUCHI,  YONE.     American  Diary  of  a  Japanese  Girl 
and  the  Spirit  of  Japanese  Poetry. 

OKUMA,   SHIGENOBU   (COUNT).    Fifty   Years  of  New 
Japan. 

PERRY,  COMMODORE  MATTHEW  CALBRAITH.     Narrative 
of  the  Expedition  of  an  American  Squadron  to  Japan. 

POLO,  MARCO.    Account   of  Japan.    Translation   by 
•Henry  Yule. 

KINDER,  FRANK.    Old  World  Japan. 

RIORDAN,  R.,  and  TAKAYANAGI.    Sunrise  Stories. 

SEMENOFF,  COMMODORE  WLADIMIR.    Rasplata. 


•      CONTENTS 

PAGE 

PREFACE      ..•.<..  iii 


PART  I 

MYTHOLOGY  AND  LEGEND 

CHAPTER 

I.     THE  TRAVAIL  OF  THE  GODS    *  .  .  .  i 

II.    THE  LABOURS  OF  YAMATO         .  .  .  29 

III.  MYTHS  OF  THE  FLOWERY  ISLES  .  .  62 

PART  II  • 

MEDIEVAL  ROMANCE 

IV.  THE  LOTUS  LIFE         .        .        .  .  .  78 
V.    A  MIKADO  AND  A  GEISHA  .        .  ...  :  101 

VI.    THE  CLASHING  OF  THE  CLANS   .     '  -. '.  .125 

VII.    THE  FOLLY  OF  THE  KHAN  .        .  .  f  157 

VIII.    THE  THREE  DEVILS    .        .        .  .  .206 

IX.     THE  QUEST  OF  LIFE 252 

X.    THE  SCARLET  THREAD       ....  296 


x  Contents 

PART  III 
LATTER-DAY  TALES 

PAGE 
CHAPTER 

XI.    THE  OPEN  GATE  •        •        -323 

XII.    A  MODERN  SAMURAI  .....      354 

XIII.  THE  TRIUMPH      .        .  393 

XIV.  NOTABLE  EXAMPLES  OF  JAPANESE  ARCHI- 

TECTURE         424 

Chapter  XIV.  and  the  verse,  where  not  otherwise 
credited,  are  by  Frere  Champney. 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


KASUGA  SHRINE,  NARA          .         .         .     Frontispiece 
From  a  water-colour  by  Frere  Champney. 

"THEN  TO  THE  CAVERN  THEY  HIED  WITH UZUME,  THE 
GODDESS  OF  LAUGHTER"  .... 

From  "Shinto, "  by  W.  G.  Aston. 
Permission  of  Longmans  Green  &  Co. 

"AMATERASU  LOOKED  ON  THE  MIRROR  OF  GOLD". 

From  "  Old-World  Japan, "  by  T.  H.  Robinson 
Permission  of  Macmillan  Co. 

"As  SHE  STOOPED  OVER  THE  WELL,  OF  A  SUDDEN  SHE 
SAW  THE  FACE  OF  PRINCE  FIRE-FADE  REFLECTED 

THEREIN  "....... 

From  "Old-World  Japan, "  by  T.  H.  Robinson 
Permission  of  Macmillan  Co. 


12 


xii  Illustrations 

PAGE 

"WHEREUPON  IT  BECAME  UNSEEMLY  DRUNKEN, 
LAUGHING  HILARIOUSLY,  SLASHING  AND  CAVORT- 
ING ITS  SEVERAL  TAILS"  (Hokusai)  .  .  .  13 

"DAYS  AND  MONTHS  AND  YEARS  TOGETHER,  SAILED 
HE  ON  THROUGH  WlND  AND  WEATHER  "  .  .  4O 

From  "Old-World  Japan,"  by  T.  H.  Robinson 
Permission  of  Macmillan  Co. 

"MOUNTED  ON  ITS  SNOWY  PINIONS  SWIFTLY  SOARED 
ACROSS  THE  FOAM "  .  .  .  .  •  41 

From  "Old- World  Japan, "  by  T.  H.  Robinson 
Permission  of  Macmillan  Co. 

"  A  GIANT  BOAR  POSSESSED  OF  A  DEMON,  SUSA-NO-WO" 

(Hokusai)         ....  -44 

"YAMATO  BESTRODE  THE  BOAR  AND  GRASPING  THE 
TAIL  SEVERED  IT  FROM  THE  SPINE  "  (Hokusai)  .  45 

"GLEAMING  MID  FLEECY  CLOUD,  A  DAMSEL  FAIR" 

(Sozu  Eshin)    .          .          .         ..          .          .          .       52 

Permission  of  Armand  Dayot 

"THE  CRUEL  FISHER  SHOOK  HIS  HEAD"        .         .       53 

From  "Old-World  Japan, "  by  T.  H.  Robinson 
Permission  of  Macmillan  Co. 

"EMPEROR  CHIUAI"     (Hokusai)    .         .         .         .      64 
BENTEN,  THE  DRAGON'S  DAUGHTER     (Hokusai)      .       65 

"  I  ENCOUNTERED  THE  WINSOME  MAID,  RUDDY  PEACH- 
LING"  (Hokusai)  .  .  .  .  .  .78 

"MERRY  MONKS"     (Hokusai)       .        ,.         .         .      84 

"I  SPRANG  INTO  THE  BASKET  AND  FERRIED  MYSELF 
ACROSS  THE  CHASM  "  (Hokusai)  85 


Illustrations  xiii 

PAGE 

PRINCE  UMAYADO          .         .         .         .         .         .86 

From  "In  Japan,"  by  Gaston  Migeon 
Permission  of  Wm.  Heineman,  London 

"ALL  MERCIFUL  KWANNON"         ....      86 

From  "  In  Japan, "  by  Gaston  Migeon 
Permission  of  Wm.  Heineman,  London 

"CROUCHED  BENEATH  A  MAPLE  TREE,  WITH  ANKLES 

CROSSED,  AS  HOLY  BUDDHAS  SIT  "     (Hokusai}  .       87 

"SIPPING  SWEET  SAKE  FROM  QUAINT  POTTERIES" 

(Kiyonaga}        .          .          .          .          .         .          ,102 

Permission  of  Armand  Dayot,  Paris 

"A  WICKED  LIGHT  GLEAMED  IN  THE  EYES  OF  THE 

FUJIWARA"  (Sharaku}        .         .         .         .         .103 
Permission  of  Armand  Dayot,  Paris 

"O  UME  SAN  UTTERED  A  STIFLED  SOB"        .        ..     108 

Colour-print  Toyokuni 

"PLUM  BLOSSOM  SMILED"     .....     109 

From  "  Old- World  Japan, "  by  T.  H.  Robinson 
Permission  of  Macmillan  Co. 

"THE  MIKADO  AND  THE  GEISHA  SOUGHT  SHELTER 
FROM  THE  DRIVING  SNOW"  (Harunobu)        .         .114 

Permission  of  Armand  Dayot 

"TOKIWA  AND  IKI  ENTERED"  (Utarmaro}        .         .115 

Permission  of  Armand  Dayot 

"THE  HIGHWAYMAN  HELD  HER  CAPTIVE"  (Hokusai}     130 

PAVILION  OF  THE  PHCENIX,  SUMMER  PALACE  OF  YORI- 

MASA,  Uji 131 

From  "Japanese  Temples  and  their  Treasures" 
Permission  of  the   Department  of  Education,   Tokyo, 
Japan 


xiv  Illustrations 

PAGE 

"YOSHITSUNE  SPURRED  HIS  STEED  OVER  THE  PRECI- 
PICE"    (Hokusai)     .         .         .         .         .          •     148 

"A  RINGING  CRY  ROSE  FROM  A  THOUSAND  THROATS 
AS  THE  GREAT  SHIPS  GRAPPLED  "        .         .         .     149 

(Colour-print,  Kunitsuna) 

"  MUNEMORI  EVADED  THE  STROKE  AND  PLUNGED  INTO 
THE  SEA"   .    .    .    -.    I    .  :   .  152 

(Colour-print,  Kuniyoshi) 

"So  THERE  HE  SENT  A  MIGHTY  FLEET ".         .         .     153 
THE  FORD  OF  THE  UJIGAWA.         .         .         ,         .     153 

"MAD  MERCHANTS  AND  THEIR  MOUNTAINOUS  DROME- 
DARY"    (Hokusai} 158 

THE  DAIBUTSU     .         .         .         .  .         .     159 

MIYAJIMA  "A  HARVEST  MOON  SILVERED  THE  SACRED 
ISLE  AS  WE  DRIFTED    THROUGH    THE    WATER- 
GATE"    .         .         .         .         .         .         .    '  182 

(From  a  water-colour  by  Frere  Champney) 

"THE  WIND  GOD  FUJIN,  BRANDISHED  THE  SACK  OF 
THE  TEMPESTS"       .         .         .         .         .         .     186 

"THE   TYPHOON   FELL   UPON   us   WITH   RENEWED 
FURY" 187 

(From  colour-print,  Hokusai) 

"AT  LAST,  TO  OUR  UNBOUNDED  DELIGHT,  WE  BEHELD 
MY  GALLANT  GALLEY"     .        r.         ...        .     196 

(From  Yule's  Marco  Polo) 
Permission  of  John  Munroe 

' '  A  PIRATE  BOLD  OF  A  GALLEON  OLD  ' '     (Hokusai)     .     197 


Illustrations  xv 


PAGE 


FRANCIS  XAVIER  .         .         .  .  .     216 

(Prom  "Arabia,  Egypt  and  India"  by  Isabella  Burton) 

"A  SHOT  RANG  OUT  AS  NOBUNAGA  GALLOPED  TO  OUR 

RESCUE"     (Hokusai)         .         .         .         .         .     217 

"BROTHER  JUDE  LEERED  UPON  AZALEA  COWERING  AT 
HIS  FEET"  (Hokusai)  .  .  .  •  .'  „  .  224 

"  MANY  A  LOVESOME  EVENING  DID  WE  BEGUILE  WITH 

LUTE  AND  PSALTERY  "     (Hokusai)     .         .         .     225 

"LET  HIM  BE  CRUCIFIED  AS  A  KRISHITAN"    .         .     246 

From  an  old  Japanese  print 

"  THE  ARTIST  DIPPED  A  BRUSH,  AND  WITH  A  DEXTER- 
OUS FILLIP  HURLED  IT  INTO  THE  AIR  "  (Hokusai)  247 

THE  TOKAIDO     (Heroshigi)    .         .         .         .,         .258 
Permission  of  Armand  Dayot,  Paris 

" LOWLY  WAYFARERS  AND  LABOURERS"     (Hokusai}     259 
"Up  STEEP  AND  TORTUOUS  TRAILS   THEY  TOILED"    268 

"BRINDLE,  MY  BULLOCK,  CAN  BEAR  MORE  GRIEVOUS 
LOADS  AND  WHISK  HIS  TAIL  IN  THE  FACE  OF  ANY 
STEED"  (Hokusai)  .  .  .  .  .  269 

"  STRONG  MEN  WRESTLED  AND  TUMBLED  "    (Hokusai)    274 

"MOUNTEBANKS    PERFORMED    MERRY    ANTICS" 

(Hokusai)         .         .         .         .        . .         .  •        .     274 

"ON  A  DAIS  STOOD  WHITE  PEONY"    •  ..  -.      .         .     275 
SNOW-BLOSSOMS    .         .         .  '      ..        .         .       •  .     286 

From  a  colour-print  by  Hiroshige 

"A  LIGHT  FLARED  FITFULLY  UPON  THE  MALIGNANT 
FACE  OF  MATSAKURA"  .....  287 

(Colour-print,  Kunisada) 


xvi  Illustrations 


"HALF  THE  BAND  CLAMBERED  OVER  THE  ROOFS".      314 

Reproduced  from  "The  Faithful, "  by  John  Masefield 
Permission  of  Wm.  Heineman,  London 

"SHIKARA  LOOMED  ABOVE  HIM,  HIS  BLADE  FLASHING 
LIKE  A  LIGHTNING  BOLT"        .         .         .  315 

From  "  Old-World  Japan, "  by  T.  H.  Robinson 
Permission  of  Macmillan  Co. 

PERRY'S  FLEET     .......     322 

From  "Narrative  of  Expedition  to  Japan,"  by  Commo- 
dore M.  C.  Perry 
W.  Heine,  U.  S.  Government  Report 

"  BEYOND  THE  MIST-SHROUDED  HORIZON  LOOMED  THE 
SNOW-WHITE  CONE  OF  FUJIYAMA"      .       .-       .     323 

"STRAINS  OF  PATRIOTIC  Music  RENT  THE  AIR  AS  WE 

ENTERED  THE  TREATY  HOUSE"         .         .         ,     346 

From  U.  S.  Government  Report.     W.  Heine 

"DRIVING  WIND  PINNED  HIS  ANTAGONIST  TO  THE 

GROUND"         .......     346 

From  U.  S.  Government  Report.     W.  Heine 

"GRAVELY  THE  REPRESENTATIVES  OF  BOTH  NATIONS 
AFFIXED  THEIR  SIGNATURES  "   .         .         .         ,     347 

"  THE  PENDENT  CLUSTERS  OF  WISTARIA  DROOP  THEIR 
PURPLE  TASSELS  O'ER  THE  TRANQUIL  LAKE  "      .     354 

Copyright  by  Underwood  &  Underwood,  N.  Y. 

NAGOYA  CASTLE  .         .         .  .         .     355 

"  IN  THE  OFFING  FLOATS  A  FLEET  OF  FISHING  JUNKS  "    366 

(From  a  colour-print  by  Hiroshige) 


Illustrations  xvii 

PAGE 

CHERRY-BLOSSOM  AND  HER  KOTO  .       \.         .         .     367 

Permission  of  Theodore  Wores  and  Century  Magazine 

THE  SNOW-WHITE  Fox  AND  THE  APE-GOD  (Hokusai)     382 

"WITH  A  BLOW  OF  HIS  SABRE  MINAMOTO  SEVERED  A 
COSSACK'S  HEAD"    .         .         .         .         .         .     383 

From  a  modern  colour-print 

"MAKE  NOT  HONOURABLE  TEAR-DROPPINGS"          .     412 
"WITH  A  BLAST  OF  STEAM  THE  BOILERS  EXPLODED"    413 

Prom  a  sketch  by  Lionel  James 
Permission  of  The  Graphic,  London 

"ALL  NIGHT  WE  CRUISED  FROM  ONE  SINKING  VESSEL 
TO  ANOTHER  RESCUING  THEIR  DROWNING  CREWS  "    420 

From  a  sketch  by  Lionel  James 
Permission  of  The  Graphic,  London 

ADMIRAL  TOGO      .......     421 

From   "The  Japanese  Nation  in   Evolution,"  by  Win. 

Elliot  Griffis. 
Permission  of  Thos.  Y.  Crowell,  Publishers,  N.  Y. 

' '  O  HANA  SAN  STRUMS  HER  SAMISEN  AND  SINGS  ' '         .     424 

Permission  of  Theodore  Wores  and  the  Century  Co. 

' '  A  LONELY  BELFRY  SHRINED  IN  SHADOWY  FOLIAGE  ' '      425 

W.  Heine,  "  Narrative  of  Expedition  to  Japan  by  Com- 
modore M.  C.  Perry,"  U.  S.  Government  Report 

PAGODA  OF  HORIUJI      .         .         .         .   ,      .         .     426 

Permission  of  Nara  Museum 

PAGODA  OF  YAKUSHIJI  .         .         ,         .         .     426 

Permission  of  the  Department  of  Education,  Tokyo,  Japan 

KONDO,  HORIUJI  ......     427 

Permission  of  Nara  Museum 


xviii  Illustrations 


PAGE 


THE  GOLDEN  PAVILION     (Kinkaku-ji)    .         .         .  427 

PAVILION  OF  THE  PHCENIX,  Uji      ....  430 

Permission  of  the  Department  of  Education,  Tokyo,  Japan 

BRONZE  INCENSE-BURNERS     ...         .         .         .  431 

THE  SILVER  PAVILION     (Ginkaku-ji)     '.  .       .         .  432 

THE  YOMEI-MON  (Nikko)      '  .(        '^                .         .  433 

THE  STABLE  OF  THE  SACRED  HOUSE      .         /".       .  436 

THE  THREE  MONKEYS  (Nikko)       ....  437 

HOLY-WATER  FONT  (Nikko)  .         .         .         .         ,  438 

INTERIOR  TEMPLE  OF  IEYASU         .         .         ,         .  439 

TOMB  OF  IEYASU  (Nikko)      .         .         .         .         .  440 

"SHINTO  PRIESTS  AND  A  GOLD  AND  IVORY  GATEWAY "  441 

GATEWAY  TO  THE  TEMPLE  OF  IEMITSU  .         .         .  442 


ROMANCE  OF  OLD  JAPAN 


Romance  of  Old  Japan 


CHAPTER  I 

THE  TRAVAIL  OF  THE  GODS 

I 

Ere  the  beginning  of  Time,  Izanagi,  the  God  of  the  Heavens, 
High  in  the  uttermost  realms  of  the  limitless  chaos  above, 

Far  in  the  vaporous  vast  of  the  infinite  twilight  of  even, 
Took  unto  wife  Izanami,  the  beautiful  Goddess  of  Love. 

Out  of  her  plenteous  womb  sprang  the  numberless  worlds 

in  commotion; 

Sprang  generations  of  gods,  in  unending  miraculous  birth, 
Sprang  generations  of  men  and  the  beasts  and  the  fish  of 

the  ocean, 

Issued  the  fathomless  sea  and  the  mountainous  reaches 
of  earth. 

She  from  the  firmament  first,  to  mankind  in  her  mercy 

descending, 

Water  and  knowledge  of  Fire  and  the  wonderful  vision 
of  Light 

i 


2  Old  Japan 

Brought,  and  ordained  every  part  of  the  life-giving  earth 

never  ending, 

Then,  in  her  death  throe,  gave  birth  to  the  Isles  of  the 
Dragon-fly  bright. 

KOJIKIDEN. 

DEFORE  the  beginning  of  Time,  ere  yet  were  heav- 
*~^  ens  or  earth,  sun  or  moon,  or  the  multitudinous 
waters,  all  was  gloomy  chaos. 

Out  of  this  infinite  void  rose  a  cloud,  floating  upon 
the  sea  of  silent  space.  In  its  hidden  depths  sprouted 
a  bud,  which  shot  like  an  iris-stalk  into  the  air.  As  it 
rose  it  put  forth  leaves  and  blossomed,  growing  ever 
more  pure  and  bright,  till  the  wonder-flower  mounted 
to  Taka-ma-no-hara  (the  high  plain  of  heaven),  where 
it  bloometh  ever,  the  bright-shining  Sun. 

At  the  same  time  there  fluttered  downward  from 
the  heavenly  firmament  a  night-blooming  flower, 
which  slowly  unfolded  its  translucent  petals  and  became 
the  Moon. 

Out  of  the  hearts  of  these  blossoms  sprang  a  score  of 
gods  and  goddesses,  the  last  of  whom  were  Izanagi 
(all-powerful-God-of-the-Air),  and  Izanami  (Fair-God- 
dess-of-the-Clouds).  From  them  issued  all  life:  the 
eight  hundred  myriad  deities  of  heaven,  the  countless 
generations  of  man,  and  the  beasts  and  the  birds  and 
the  trees. 

Izanagi  and  Izanami  stood  upon  the  "Floating- 
Bridge  of  Heaven,"  a  vast,  aerial  arch,  which  spanned 


The  Travail  of  the  Gods  3 

the  abyss  between  the  realms  celestial  and  the  lower 
world.     Izanagi  spake  to  his  heaven-born  sister,  saying : 

"Needs  must  be  that  beneath  us  lies  a  kingdom. 
Let  us  descend  and  visit  it." 

Whereupon  he  plunged  his  sacred  jewelled  spear  into 
the  seething  caldron  of  the  sea.  When  he  had  stirred 
it  about,  vainly  groping  for  land,  he  withdrew  the  lance 
and  from  its  point  fell  drops  of  liquid  which  became 
congealed  into  the  island  of  Onogora.  Stirring  once 
more  he  heaped  up  a  vast  and  lofty  mountain,  to  the 
summit  of  which  he  attached  the  Floating  Bridge,  and 
thereupon  the  Earth-Makers  descended. 

When  they  alighted  upon  the  island,  Izanagi  turned 
to  the  right  and  skirted  the  base  of  the  "Pillar  of  Earth," 
while  Izanami  turned  to  the  left. 

When  they  met,  the  "Goddess  of  the  Clouds"  ad- 
dressed her  brother  saying:  "Who  art  thou,  fair  and 
lovely  youth?" 

Thereupon  the  heart  of  the  "God  of  the  Air"  was 
wroth  within  him  and  he  retorted,  "I,  that  am  a  man, 
should  have  been  the  first  to  speak,  whereas  thou,  a 
woman,  didst  address  me.  This  is  ill-omened.  That 
our  wedding  may  be  auspicious  let  us  begin  anew." 
!  Thus  it  came  to  pass  that,  as  again  the  two  deities 
skirted  the  base  of  the  "Pillar  of  Earth,"  Izanagi  ex- 
claimed at  their  meeting :  "Who  art  thou,  fair  and  lovely 
maiden?"  and  Izanami  replied  enraptured:  "How  de- 
lightful! I  have  met  with  a  fair  and  lovely  youth!" 


4  Old  Japan 

Whereupon  they  clasped  hands,  and  their  marriage 
was  accomplished. 

Now  when  they  had  dwelt  long  time  on  the  isle  of 
Onogoro  in  love  and  happiness,  to  Izanagi  and  Izanami 
were  born  the  eight  islands  of  Japan.  First  the  great 
Yamato  (the  Flowery  Isle  of  the  Dragon-fly),  then 
Tsukushi  (the  White  Sun  Youth),  lyo  (the  Passing- 
fair  Princess),  Tsushima  (the  Stepping  Stone),  Ahaji 
(the  Isle  of  Grieving),  Shikoku  (the  Pearl  of  the  Inland 
Sea),  Oki  (the  Islet  of  the  White  Hare),  and  Lado  (Gold 
Maid  of  the  North). 

Out  of  the  foam  of  the  billows  were  born  numberless 
islets  and  from  the  clouds  of  the  heaven  they  created 
Korea,  Cathay,  and  the  uttermost  realms  of  the  earth. 
Then  were  born  the  Kami :  the  Ruler  of  the  Rivers,  the 
Monarch  of  the  Mountains,  the  Deity  of  the  Trees, 
and  the  Deities  which  preside  over  the  miracles  of 
Nature. 

Now  the  "God  of  the  Heavens"  looking  upon  his 
kingdom  found  it  exceeding  fair,  and  spake  to  the 
"Goddess  of  Love,"  saying:  "All  that  now  wanteth  is 
a  sovereign  to  rule  over  this  great  realm." 

Whereupon  were  born  to  them  a  daughter,  the 
Bright-Shining-Amaterasu,  and  a  son,  Susa-no-wo  no 
mikoto. 

Then  Izanagi  rejoiced  greatly,  saying:  "Many  are 
the  generations  I  have  begotten,  but  of  all  my  multi- 
tudinous offspring  the  fairest  are  these." 


The  Travail  of  the  Gods  5 

Now  Amaterasu  was  passing  fair  and  outshone  the 
very  heavens.  So  Izanagi  spake  and  said:  "Child 
upon  child  have  I  fathered  but  none  of  them  is  like 
unto  thee."  Then,  taking  from  his  shoulders  a  neck- 
lace of  precious  stones,  he  gave  it  to  Amaterasu,  and 
leading  her  to  the  summit  of  the  mountain  and  over 
the  Rainbow  Bridge,  he  commanded:  "Rule  thou 
henceforth  over  Takama  no  hara"  (the  High  Plain  of 
Heaven). 

When  Amaterasu  mounted  to  her  glittering  throne 
in  the  sun  the  Spirits  of  Heaven  rejoiced  with  exceeding 
joy,  saying:  "Forever  shalt  thou  gladden  the  Eternal 
Land  with  the  grace  of  thy  celestial  light.  Clouds 
shall  be  thy  handmaidens  and  the  Heaven-descending 
showers  thy  messengers  of  mercy  to  the  earth." 

Then  Izanagi  addressed  Susa-no-wo,  saying:  "Rule 
thou  over  the  Moon  and  the  multitudinous  salt  water." 

Unlike  his  ever  smiling  sister  the  Moon  God  was 
morose,  turbulent,  and  sinister.  When  he  waxed  wroth, 
grass  withered  on  the  plains,  flowers  faded,  and  the 
Children  of  Earth  perished. 

Of  her  numberless  progeny  Izanami  best  loved  her 
Earth  Children,  and  most  of  all  the  lords  of  the  Isles 
of  the  Dragon-fly.  To  these  she  gave  eternal  dominion 
over  the  fairest  of  lands,  and  bestowed  upon  them  god- 
like powers :  Wisdom,  Valour  and  Craft,  Justice,  Mercy 
and  Love.  She  commanded  the  Kami  to  minister  to 
her  Earth  Children :  the  River  God  to  water  their  rice 


6  Old  Japan 

fields,  the  Mountain  God  to  delve  for  them  his  ruddy 
gold,  the  God  of  Trees  to  fell  them  timber  for  their  habi- 
tations, and  the  Goddess  of  Abundance  to  heap  their 
wains  with  overflowing  fruit. 

Whereat  the  immortal  Gods  were  exceeding  wroth 
and  assembled  in  high  council. 

"Celestial  Mother,"  thundered  Susa-no-wo,  "thou 
hast  elevated  thy  Earth  Children  to  the  rank  of  Gods; 
so  that  even  I  must  needs  toil  as  their  slave  and  harness 
my  storm  steeds  to  their  sea  chariots!" 

Thereupon  the  divine  council  were  moved  with  august 
jealousy  and  murmured  to  one  another:  "She  loveth 
her  Earth  Children  more  than  us,  wherefore  let  her 
descend  and  abide  with  them!" 

To  this  Izanami  made  appeal:  "Shall  my  very  off- 
spring condemn  me  though  I  have  done  no  evil!" 

Then  spake  Ame-no-kami,  the  August  Master 
Deity,  saying:  "Izanami,  Goddess  of  Mortals,  for  that 
thou  hast  dragged  thine  immortal  vesture  in  the  mire 
of  Earth  shalt  thou  put  off  thine  immortality  and 
dwell  a  mortal  in  the  abode  of  Death!" 

Like  to  a  thirsting  flower  withered  the  gentle  God- 
dess, and  withdrew  to  the  solitudes  of  the  mountains, 
where  she  bore  a  son,  Kagu-tsuchi — the  terrible  God  of 
Fire.  In  her  birth  throes  she  was  mortally  burned; 
but  ere  she  perished  Izanami  bethought  herself:  "I 
have  given  birth  to  an  evil-hearted  child,  a  menace  to 
the  world  of  men." 


The  Travail  of  the  Gods  7 

So  she  bare  yet  another  son,  the  God  of  Water,  say- 
ing: "When  the  temper  of  thy  brother  waxeth  vio- 
lent do  thou  assuage  it  with  thy  cooling  streams." 
Whereupon  Izanami  died  and  descended  unto  Yomi, 
the  abode  of  departed  spirits. 

Izanagi  grieved  sorely  for  the  loss  of  his  beloved 
spouse,  and  resolved  to  seek  her  in  the  domain  of  the 
dead. 

He  descended  thither  through  Ifuya-zaka  (a  hole 
in  the  centre  of  the  earth),  and  came  to  the  portal  of 
Yomi,  whence  none  may  return.  Here  he  perceived 
the  spirit  of  Izanami  waiting  to  meet  him,  and  addressed 
her  saying:  "Beloved  sister,  come  thou  back  I  entreat 
thee,  for  the  land  that  we  created  is  not  yet  finished." 

Whereupon  Izanami  answered:  "Alas!  thou  comest 
too  late.  Look  not  thou  upon  me,  for  I  have  eaten  of 
the  bread  of  Yomi.  I  would  fain  return  but  it  may  not 
be!"  Thus  lamenting  she  retired  within  the  portal 
of  the  underworld. 

But  the  God  of  the  Heavens  heeded  not  the  warning 
of  the  Goddess  of  Love,  but  pressed  forward  in  swift 
pursuit.  Through  innumerable  tortuous  caverns  dark 
and  loathly  with  the  odour  of  death  he  passed,  fol- 
lowing the  scarce-seen  wraith  of  his  fleeing  wife.  On 
every  hand  flitted  vague  shadowy  shapes,  and  phantom 
fingers  groped  after  him  through  the  gloom. 

He  cried  to  Izanami,  and  besought  her  to  return, 
but  she  gave  no  response  save  a  pitiful  moan.  He 


8  Old  Japan 

redoubled  his  efforts  to  overtake  her  and  strove  with 
all  his  might  to  grasp  her  fleeting  form.  After  long 
elusion,  in  the  cavern  of  Despair  at  the  extremity  of 
the  kingdom  of  Yomi  he  came  upon  Izanami  writhing 
in  her  death  agony. 

Tenderly  he  strove  to  raise  her  but  her  spirit  melted 
to  mist  in  his  grasp  and  vanished  forever  in  the  shadowy 
night. 

Izanagi,  pursued  by  the  Furies  of  Remorse,  ascended 
the  Earth-stairway,  and  dwelt  thenceforth  upon  the 
isle  of  Ahaji,  in  an  abode  of  eternal  gloom. 

II 

THE  MIRACULOUS  MIRROR 

Amaterasu,  the  bright,  the  Sun  Goddess,  high  in  the  heaven, 
Giver  of  bountiful  light  and  the  manifold  glories  of  day, 
Sat  at  the  loom  of  the  night,  with  her  beauteous  hand- 
maidens seven 

Weaving  the  dark  web  of  Doom  with  its  symbols  of  joy 
and  dismay. 

Speeding  her  shuttle  of  Fate,   interwove   Izanagi's  fair 

daughter, 

Lotus-pure  blossoms  of  Love  with  the  flame  of  a  raptur- 
ous star; 
Twining  the  green  woof  of  Life  with  the  scarlet-stained 

ribbon  of  Slaughter 

Silver-bright  Peace  interweft  with  the  red  warp  relentless 
of  War. 


Amaterasu  looked  on  the  mirror  of  gold  and  perceiving  her  image 
therein,  deemed  that  she  saw  there  a  rival" 

From  "  Old-World  Japan  "  by  T.  H.  Robinson 
Permission  of  Macmillan  Co. 


The  Travail  of  the  Gods  9 

Sudden  from  out  of  the  void,  by  the  wrath  of  the  hurricane 

driven, 

Into  the  Hall  of  the  Gods,  with  the  crash  of  a  thunder- 
bolt dire, 
Down  from  the  summit  of  Heaven,  through  a  rent  in  the 

firmament  riven, 
Hurtled  the  Dragon  of  Hell,  Susa-no-wo,  demon  of  Fire! 

Down  from  her  throne  in  the  sky  fled  Amaterasu  affrighted, 
Down  to  the  bounds  of  the  sea  to  a  cavern  of  shadowy 

night, 
Where  she  immured  her  secure  from  the  rage  of  her  brother 

benighted, 

Leaving  to  Stygian  gloom  the  Isles  of  the  Dragon-fly 
bright. 

Sorely  the  people  bewailed  the  loss  of  their  Jewel  of  Heaven, 
Vainly  the  people  besought  the  return  of  their  Sun- 
Goddess  bright, 
All  unavailing  their  prayers,  until  Vulcan  one  auspicious 

even 

Fashioned  a  mirror  of  gold  that  gleamed  with  miraculous 
fight, 

Then  to  the  cavern  they  hied  with  Uzume,  the  Goddess  of 

Laughter, 
Who  danced  in  the  light  of  the  moon  on  the  marge  of 

the  frolicsome  wave, 

Rending  the  welkin  with  cries,  till  Amaterasu  soon  after, 
Roused  from  her  slumberous  couch,  peered  forth  from 
the  door  of  her  cave. 

"Why  this   boisterous  mirth,    and  what  this  unseemly 

commotion  ? ' ' 

Demanded  the  Goddess  irate,  and  to  her  made  Uzume 
reply: 


io  Old  Japan 

"Queen  of  the  Day,  we  rejoice  in  a  princess  more  fair  than 

the  ocean, 

Even  more  glorious-bright  than  the  sun  in  the  shimmering 
sky. 

"Lo,  now  behold  her,"  she  spake,  and  Amaterasu,  return- 
ing, 
Looked  on  the  mirror  of  gold  and,  perceiving  her  image 

therein, 
Deemed  that  she  saw  there   a  rival,   and  straightway, 

with  jealousy  burning, 

Ran  from  the  door  of  the  cave,  in  astonishment,  wrath, 
and  chagrin. 

Scarce  had  she  quitted  the  cave  when  suddenly  unto  the 

portal, 

Taji-Karad  (the  Strong)  rolled  a  boulder  of  mountain- 
ous height, 
Cutting   her   off   from   retreat,   our   sun-giving   Goddess 

immortal, 

Ever  to  smile  on  the  land  with  the  grace  of  her  bountiful 
light. 

Ill 

THE  EIGHT-FORKED  SERPENT  OF    KOSHI 

One  day  Susa-no-wo  discerned  a  chop-stick  drifting 
down  the  River  Hi,  and,  deeming  that  there  must 
needs  be  folk  dwelling  in  the  country  above,  set  forth 
questing  what  manner  of  men  they  might  be. 

When  he  had  journeyed  far  into  the  forest  fastnesses 
he  came  upon  a  grey -bearded  man  and  an  aged  crone 


The  Travail  of  the  Gods  1 1 

weeping,  with  a  fair  maiden  set  between  them,  whom 
they  caressed  as  though  bidding  her  a  last  farewell. 

Susa-no-wo  saluted  them  courteously,  saying:  "Who 
are  ye,  Gods  or  mortals?  for  ne'er  before  have  I  be- 
held Children  of  Earth  in  these  lone  mountains." 

Thereupon  the  greybeard  answered:  "Thy  humble 
servant,  Great  Augustness,  is  a  deity  of  earth  cleped 
Ashinadzuchi  (Foot-stroke  Elder),  son  of  the  Moun- 
tain-God. My  wife  is  Tenadzuchi  (Hand-stroke  Elder) , 
and  this  damsel  is  our  daughter,  Kushinada-hime 
(Wondrous-fair  Princess). 

"Why  lament  ye  thus  piteously?"  asked  Susa-no-wo, 
and  the  aged  man  answered: 

"Alas,  most  honourable  Lord,  we  bewail  the  loss  of 
our  eight  beloved  daughters,  who,  year  after  year,  have 
been  slain  and  devoured  by  the  terrible  eight-forked 
serpent  of  Koshi.  Time  is  that  the  loathly  monster 
cometh  and  this  our  last  remaining  daughter  will 
surely  perish.  Wherefore  do  we  grieve  exceedingly." 

"Tell  me,"  entreated  Susa-no-wo,  "what  manner  of 
fish  is  this  monster?" 

"It  hath  eyes  as  red  as  a  ripe  mountain  cherry,  a 
noisome  blood-inflamed  body,  armed  with  eight  fear- 
some heads  and  eight  forked  tails.  Moreover  its 
back  is  all  overgrown  with  firs,  cedars,  and  pines,  and 
it  trails  its  tortuous  coils  over  eight  valleys  and  as 
many  mountains." 

Quoth  Susa-no-wo:  "Aged  stranger,  I  will  gladly  slay 


12  Old  Japan 

the  loathly  dragon,  if  thou  wilt  but  give  to  me  this 
thy  beauteous  daughter  in  marriage." 

"With  all  reverence  be  it  said,"  replied  the  father. 
"I  am  ignorant  of  thine  august  name." 

"Thou  beholdest  in  me,"  boasted  Susa-no-wo,  "none 
other  than  the  brother  of  the  glorious  Sun  Goddess 
Amaterasu,  Heaven-descended  ruler  of  Yamato." 

Whereupon  the  deities  Ashinadzuchi  and  Tenadzuchi 
made  no  further  ado,  but  assented  joyously  to  his  re- 
quest. 

Forthwith  Susa-no-wo  took  the  maiden  from  the  arms 
of  her  honourable  parents  and  transformed  her  into  a 
many- toothed  comb  which  he  thrust  into  his  dishevelled 
hair.  He  then  bade  the  aged  crone  brew  a  great  quan- 
tity of  sake  of  eightfold  strength,  and  fashioned  a 
rampart  of  pointed  logs  wherein  he  hung  eight  goodly 
doors.  At  each  portal  he  set  a  vast  vat  which  he 
filled  with  the  sake  of  eightfold  strength.  Then, 
with  the  utmost  deliberation,  he  awaited  the  coming 
of  the  dread  monster. 

After  a  little  the  great  serpent  came  lumbering  its 
enormous  carcase  over  hill  and  ravine  until  it  reached 
the  rampart  of  pointed  logs.  Here  it  paused  at  the 
portals  and  lapped  up  the  liquor  with  its  eight  forked 
tongues.  Whereupon  it  became  unseemly  drunken, 
laughing  hilariously,  slashing  and  cavorting  its  several 
tails  like  one  bewitched,  until,  overcome  little  by  little 
by  a  great  drowsiness,  it  lay  down  to  sleep. 


As  she  stooped  over  the  well,  of  a  sudden  she  saw  the  face  of  Prince 
Fire-Fade  reflected  therein" 

From  "  Old-World  Japan  "  by  T.  H.  Robinson 
Permission  of  Macmillan  Co. 


"  Whereupon  it  became  unseemly  drunken,  laughing  hilariously,  slashing  and 
cavorting  its  several  tails" 

(Hokusai) 


The  Travail  of  the  Gods  13 

Thereupon  Susa-no-wo  of  a  sudden  drew  his  ten-span 
sword  and  slashed  the  monster  into  a  thousand  frag- 
ments. A  river  of  blood  gushed  from  each  separate 
head,  and  as  he  severed  the  last  remaining  tail  the 
edge  of  his  august  sword  was  notched.  Marvelling 
greatly,  he  slit  the  tail  of  the  serpent  and  discovered 
therein  a  miraculous  sword,  the  divine  Kushanagi 
(Herb-queller) ,  which  he  delivered  to  the  God  of 
Heaven. 

Then  Susa-no-wo  retransformed  his  many-toothed 
comb  into  the  beauteous  Kushinada-hime,  whom  he 
wedded  forthwith  in  the  province  of  Izumo,  composing 
for  that  occasion  the  following  verses: 

Like  high  ramparts  manifold 

Lo  the  clouds  appear: 
On  all  sides  they  firm  enfold 

Kushinada  dear," 
Prisoned  mine  for  e'er  to  hold 
In  their  ramparts  manifold! 

KOYOSHI. 

IV 

THE  HEAVEN-DESCENDED 

When  began  the  earth  and  heaven, 

By  the  margin  of  the  River 

Of  the  firmament  eternal, 

Met  the  Gods  in  high  assembly, 

Met  the  Gods  and  held  high  counsel, 

Myriads  upon  myriads  gathered ; 

Then  to  each  high  charge  was  given. 


14  Old  Japan 

On  the  Goddess  of  the  Sunlight, 
Her  who  fills  the  sky  with  radiance, 
They  bestowed  the  realm  of  Heaven. 
To  her  grandchild  they  delivered 
This,  the  mountain-land  Yamato, 
This,  the  land  of  fairest  rice-ears, 
His  with  god-like  sway  to  govern, 
Long  as  heaven  and  earth  endured. 

HITOMARO  (724-756). 

From  Manyoshiu  ("Garner  of  a  Myriad  Leaves ").     Trans- 
lated by  W.  G.  Aston. 

Now  the  eight  hundred  myriad  gods  gathered  in 
council  in  the  bed  of  the  Tranquil  River  of  Heaven. 
And  Amaterasu,  the  Bright-Shining  Sun  Goddess 
spake,  saying: 

"The  Netherland  of  Rice  Plains  is  rife  with  discord. 
By  day  the  Earth  Spirits  swarm  like  flies  in  the  fifth 
month,  and  by  night  they  raise  a  clamour  like  the  flames 
of  fire.  Wherefore  must  we  send  down  a  deity  to  quell 
these  unseemly  uprisings  and  restore  the  Sunny.  Land 
of  Rice  Plains  to  prosperity  and  peace." 

Thereupon  Amewaka  (Heaven- Young-Prince)  de- 
scended the  Rainbow  Bridge  to  govern  the  land.  As 
he  set  foot  on  the  shores  of  the  Isle  of  the  Dragon-fly 
he  encountered  a  beauteous  earth  spirit,  the  Princess 
Shita-teru-hime  (Princess  Nether-Shining). 

Bewitched  by  her  loveliness,  Amewaka  wedded 
the  maiden  forthwith  and  remained  for  eight  long  years 
feasting  and  revelling  in  the  Land  of  Sunny  Rice  Plains. 


The  Travail  of  the  Gods  15 

The  Sun  Goddess,  marvelling  greatly  at  the  long  tarry- 
ing of  her  heaven-sent  messenger,  sent  the  faithful 
pheasant,  Na-naki,  to  inquire  the  cause  of  his  silence. 
;  The  pheasant  flew  down  to  earth  and  perched  upon 
a  many-branched  cassia-tree  which  grew  at  the  gate 
of  the  Prince's  palace. 

Then  Ama-no-sagu  (the  Heaven-Spying  Woman) 
went  to  the  young  Prince  and  said:  "An  evil  bird 
percheth  on  the  top  of  yonder  cassia-tree.  I  fear  its 
cry  bodeth  no  good." 

Forthwith  Amewaka  took  his  heavenly  bow  and 
arrows  and  shot  the  pheasant  through  the  heart,  so 
that  it  died.  Upward  and  onward  sped  the  feathered 
arrow  through  leagues  of  endless  sky,  till  it  pierced 
the  highest  clouds  and  fell  at  the  very  feet  of  Bright- 
Shining  Amaterasu,  seated  upon  her  throne  in  the  sun. 

Then  spake  the  Sun  Goddess:  "This  is  the  very 
arrow  I  gave  to  Amewaka.  Behold  its  feathers  are 
stained  with  blood;  perchance  he  hath  been  fighting 
with  the  Earthly  Deities." 

Thereupon  she  took  up  the  arrow  and  flung  it  forth 
to  earth,  saying:  "If  this  arrow  be  one  shot  by  Ame- 
waka at  the  Earth  Spirits  let  it  not  attain  to  him;  but 
if  he  hath  an  evil  heart,  may  the  heavenly  arrow  fly 
straight  to  that  mark." 

Now  at  this  time  the  Heavenly  Prince  was  sleeping 
after  the  feast  of  first  fruits,  and  the  feathered  arrow 
pierced  Amewaka  to  the  heart. 


16  Old  Japan 

When  she  beheld  the  dead  body  of  her  youthful 
husband  Princess  Nether-Shining  wept  long  and  bitterly. 
She  would  not  be  consoled  and  the  sound  of  her  cries 
rose  to  the  High  Plains  of  Heaven. 

Whereupon  Ame-no-kuno  straightway  knew  that  her 
son  Amewaka  was  dead,  and  raised  a  mighty  tempest 
which  upbore  the  body  of  the  young  Prince  to  the 
Celestial  Realms.  Here  they  built  a  great  mourning- 
house  and  wept  and  wailed  for  eight  long  days  and 
nights  with  ceaseless  lamentation. 

Sang  the  mourners : 

More  lustrous  than  the  precious  gems, 

Worn  by  Heaven's  Weaving-Maidens  bright, 
More  fair  than  their  great  diadems, 

Was  Amewaka,  wondrous  knight. 
Alas,  the  glory  of  his  face 

No  more  shall  shame  the  shining  day. 
Unblemished  gem  of  loveliness, 

Thy  light  is  quenched  now  for  aye!1 

At  the  same  time  to  the  obsequies  of  the  pheasant 
Na-naki  flew  myriads  of  the  swift-winged  birds  of 
heaven,  in  endless  procession,  the  wild  geese  of  the 
river,  the  storks,  the  kingfishers,  and  the  eagles,  who 
mourned  their  slain  brother  with  a  great  wailing. 

Thereafter  the  Sun  Goddess  summoned  her  grand- 
child Ninigi  (Prince  Rice  Plenty),  and  thus  exhorted 
him: 

1  From  the  Nihongi. 


The  Travail  of  the  Gods  17 

"Tis  the  appointed  time  when  thou  shouldst  de- 
scend to  rule  in  the  Sunny  Land  of  Rice  Plains.  Go 
thou,  and  may  fortune  attend  thee,  that  thy  dy- 
nasty, like  the  immortal  Heaven,  may  endure  for 
ever!" 

Whereupon  she  conferred  upon  him  three  divine 
gifts:  the  Necklace  of  Jewels,  which  her  father  Izanagi 
had  bestowed  upon  her  at  her  birth,  the  Sacred  Sword, 
which  Susa-no-wo  discovered  within  the  tail  of  the  eight- 
forked  serpent  and  the  Miraculous  Mirror  whose  lus- 
tre had  lured  her  from  the  magic  cave,  commanding 
him  the  whiles : 

"Guard  jealously  all  these  tokens,  but  the  mirror 
with  thy  life,  for  when  thou  lookest  therein  thou  shalt 
ever  behold  my  countenance." 

When  Ninigi  was  about  to  descend  to  the  Land  of 
Rice  Plains,  a  herald,  who  had  been  despatched  before 
to  announce  his  coming,  returned  saying: 

"There  dwelleth  a  Giant  God  at  the  Eight  Cross- 
Roads  of  Heaven,  whose  stature  exceedeth  seven 
fathoms.  A  great  light  shineth  from  his  mouth  and 
his  eyeballs  glow  like  the  sun  at  noonday." 

Now  among  all  the  eight  hundred  myriad  deities  of 
Heaven  there  was  none  who  durst  confront  this  pro- 
digious giant.  Wherefore  Ninigi  called  to  him  Uzume, 
the  Goddess  of  Mirth,  and  commanded:  "Of  all  the 
heavenly  goddesses  thou  art  superior  in  the  power  of 
thy  looks.  Do  thou  go  and  make  inquiry." 


i8  Old  Japan 

So  Uzume  attired  her  shapely  body  in  seductive 
raiment,  bared  her  beauteous  breasts,  and  hied  to  the 
Eight  Cross- Roads  of  Heaven.  Fearlessly  she  accosted 
the  formidable  monster  and  with  a  mocking  laugh 
demanded : 

"Who  art  thou  that  darestthus  impede  my  progress? 
What  meanest  thou  by  this  unseemly  behaviour?" 

The  giant,  mightily  amused  by  the  fearless  mien  of 
the  playful  Goddess,  made  answer: 

"My  name  is  Saruta-niko  (Deity-of-the-Field- 
Paths).  I  respectfully  beg  to  pay  homage  to  the  grand- 
child of  Amaterasu  and  to  attend  upon  him  as  his  guide. 
Let  his  august  highness  descend  upon  the  mountain 
of  Takachihi.  There  I  shall  await  him.  Return  to 
thy  master,  O  wondrous-fair  Uzume,  and  convey  him 
this  message." 

Thereupon  the  august  grandchild  quitted  his  Heav- 
enly Rock-Seat,  and,  thrusting  apart  the  eight-piled 
clouds  of  Heaven,  clove  his  way  with  an  awful  way- 
cleaving  and  descended  to  earth! 

Fr6m  the  Rainbow  Bridge  of  Heaven,  Ninigi  stepped 
forth  and  alighted  upon  the  peak  of  Takachihi  in  the 
isle  Tsukushi,  where,  as  had  been  agreed  upon,  the 
Deity-of-the-Field-Paths  awaited  him.  When  Ninigi 
had  journeyed  throughout  his  kingdom  and  had  viewed 
the  cloud-soaring  mountains  and  endless  primeval 
forests,  the  fertile  valleys,  and  smiling  sapphire  lakes, 
he  chose  a  fair  hill  overlooking  the  Inland  Ocean,  and 


The  Travail  of  the  Gods  19 

builded  him  a  vast  and  lofty  palace  "whose  pillars 
rested  on  the  nethermost  rock,  and  whose  beams  rose 
to  the  High  Plain  of  Heaven." 

So  content  was  Ninigi  with  the  faithful  services  of 
the  Deity-of-the-Field-Paths  that  he  bestowed  upon 
him  the  beauteous  Uzume  in  wedlock.  Thereupon 
the  terrible  giant  took  the  merry  Goddess  to  his  moun- 
tain fastnesses,  where  they  dwell  forever  in  joyance 
and  mirth. 

Thereafter  Ninigi  bethought  himself  of  his  own  lonely 
and  unromantic  lot,  when  on  a  day  as  he  walked  upon 
the  shore,  he  beheld  a  maiden  of  exceeding  loveliness. 
Straightway  he  became  greatly  enamoured  and  ac- 
costing her  forthwith  demanded:  "Who  art  thou,  most 
beauteous  Princess?" 

To  him  modestly  the  maiden  answered:  "My  name 
is  Ko-no-hana  (Princess  Tree-Blossom),  and  I  am  the 
daughter  of  Oho-yama  (Great-Mountain-Possessor)." 

Hastily  Ninigi  betook  himself  to  her  father  and  im- 
plored the  hand  of  the  fair  Princess. 

But  the  monarch  of  the  mountains  had  an  elder 
daughter,  Iha-naga-hime  (Princess  Long-as-the-Rocks), 
an  ill-favoured  dame  of  adamantine  heart,  unlike  unto 
her  sweet-souled  sister.  Oho-yama  desired  that  the 
offspring  of  Ninigi  should,  like  the  rocks,  endure  eter- 
nally and  flourish  as  the  blossoms  of  the  trees.  Where- 
fore he  gave  to  Ninigi  both  of  his  daughters,  clothing 


20  Old  Japan 

each  in  bright  raiment  and  lading  them  with  costly 
gifts. 

But  of  Princess  Long-as-the-Rocks,  Ninigi  would 
have  nothing,  bidding  her  return  to  her  father. 

Angered  by  his  rejection  the  ugly  daughter  cried 
out  in  imprecation:  "Hadst  thou  chosen  me  thy  de- 
scendants would  have  lived  for  ever;  henceforth  shall 
they  wither  as  the  blossoms  of  the  trees!" 

Wherefore  is  the  life  of  man  brief  as  the  bloom  of 
the  flowers. 

Nathless  Ninigi  and  the  Princess  Tree-Blossom  dwelt 
long  time  together  in  peace  and  happiness,  till  on  a 
woeful  day  a  sudden  cloud  shrouded  them  in  deepest 
gloom. 

The  ardent  Summer  Wind  wooed  Princess  Tree- 
Blossom  with  importunate  caresses;  and,  although 
he  had  no  cause  for  jealousy,  a  madness  fell  upon 
Ninigi  so  that  he  disowned  his  sons. 

His  faithful  wife,  confident  in  her  innocence,  demanded 
the  Ordeal  by  Fire.  Retiring  with  her  children  into 
her  dwelling  she  applied  the  torch  and  invoked  thus 
their  divine  ancestress: 

"Celestial  Sun-Goddess,  if  these  be  the  offspring  of 
thy  Heavenly  grandchild  suffer  not  the  fire  to  harm 
them!" 

Out  of  the  very  flames  and  into  the  arms  of  their 
father  sprang  the  laughing  boys.  Thereupon  Ninigi, 
perceiving  the  princess  also  untouched  by  the  flames, 


The  Travail  of  the  Gods  21 

knew  how  shamefully  he  had  wronged  her,  and  falling 
upon  his  knees  besought  her  forgiveness  protesting: 

Like  Mina's  stream  that  foaming  falls 
From  white  Tsukuba's  height, 
My  whelming  love  shall  flow  to  thee 
Strong  as  a  torrent,  pure  and  free, 
Calm  as  a  pool  of  night. l 


THE  FORTUNATE  FISH-HOOK 

Once  upon  a  time  there  dwelt  upon  the  isle  of  Tsu- 
kushi  a  lad  called  Ho-wori  (Prince  Fire-Fade),  the 
son  of  Ninigi,  Heaven-descended  grandchild  of  Amate- 
rasu.  This  youthful  prince  was  a  famous  hunter, 
who  slew  all  manner  of  furry  "things,  both  rough  and 
soft  of  hair." 

Ho-deri  (Prince  Fire-Flame),  his  older  brother,  was 
a  famous  fisher  who  caught  all  manner  of  finny  "things, 
both  broad  of  fin  and  narrow  of  fin." 

One  day  Ho-deri,  weary  with  waiting  for  the  wind 
to  abate  and  the  sea  to  calm,  thus  challenged  Ho-wori: 
"Let  us  for  the  nonce  exchange  callings.  Lend  me, 
I  pray  thee,  thy  miraculous  bow  and  arrows,  that  I 
may  become  a  hunter.  In  return  I  will  give  thee  my 
magic  fish-hook." 

So  Ho-wori  consented  and  did  as  Ho-deri  bade  him. 

1  Yogei. 


22  Old  Japan 

But  the  elder  brother,  skilled  as  he  was  in  luring  the 
denizens  of  the  deep,  was  but  a  sorry  huntsman.  After 
an  arduous  day  he  returned  weary  and  empty-handed. 
He  accordingly  gave  back  to  Ho-wori  his  bow  and 
arrows,  saying: 

"Thou  hast  the  fortune  of  the  mountain;  and  to  me 
is  given  that  of  the  sea.  Restore  thou  my  magic  fish- 
hook!" 

Then  Prince  Fire-Fade  answered:  "In  vain  have  I 
furrowed  the  jade-green  water  and  cast  my  line  beyond 
the  bounds  of  the  sea.  No  fish  have  I  caught,  and 
moreover  I  have  lost  thy  worthless  fish-hook." 

Prince  Fire-Flame  flashed  with  indignation,  and 
threateningly  demanded  his  lost  talisman.  His  brother 
generously  offered  to  replace  the  missing  fish-hook  by 
a  new  one,  but  Ho-deri  scornfully  refused  his  proffered 
gift. 

Ho-wori  then  took  his  sword,  and,  breaking  it  into 
a  thousand  pieces,  forged  from  it  a  myriad  fish-hooks, 
which  he  piled  in  a  great  heap  and  presented  to  Ho- 
deri.  But  even  this  did  not  appease  Prince  Fire- 
Flame,  who  retorted : 

"These  be  not  my  magic  fish-hook.  Were  they 
numberless  as  the  beasts  of  the  sea  would  I  none  of 
them!" 

Now  Prince  Fire-Fade,  grieving  because  of  the  re- 
sentment of  his  brother,  went  down  one  day  to  the  jade- 
green  sea.  While  he  stood  sighing  and  lamenting 


The  Travail  of  the  Gods  23 

upon  the  shore,  of  a  sudden  appeared  to  him  Shiko- 
tsutsu  (the  Old  Man  of  the  Sea). 

"Why  grievest  thou  thus,  Ho-wori?"  demanded 
the  kind  old  man,  and  Prince  Fire-Fade  recounted  to 
him  the  tale  of  the  lost  fish-hook. 

Quoth  the  Salt-sea  Elder:  "Be  of  good  cheer,  Ho- 
wori;  I  will  give  thee  aid."  Plaiting  together  withes 
of  bamboo,  the  old  man  fashioned  a  basket,  wherein  he 
set  the  young  prince,  who  sailed  in  it  far  out  to  sea. 

Now  when  he  had  passed  the  bounds  of  ocean,  the 
basket  burst  its  fragile  seams  and  began  to  sink. 
Down  it  fell  through  endless  depths  of  seaweed  forests 
till  it  descended  in  the  courtyard  of  a  great  castle, 
the  abode  of  Wata-tsumi  (God  of  the  Ocean). 

Before  its  gate  stood  a  well,  and  above  the  well 
grew  a  wide-spreading  cassia-tree.  Ho-wori  climbed 
into  its  tangled  branches,  and  watched  the  myriad 
glittering  fishes  glide  through  its  fantastic  foliage. 
As  he  gazed  upon  the  brilliant  scene,  he  perceived  a 
maiden  bearing  a  golden  bowl  approaching  the  well. 
It  was  the  lovely  Princess  Toyo-tama  (Peerless  Jewel), 
daughter  of  the  Sea-God. 

Ho-wori  stood  spellbound  by  her  wondrous  beauty. 

As  she  stooped  over  the  well,  to  draw  water,  of  a 
sudden  she  saw  the  face  of  Prince  Fire-Fade  reflected 
therein.  Whereupon  she  let  fall  her  golden  bowl  and 
ran  trembling  to  her  father. 

"Father,"  she  cried,  "I  have  beheld  a  youth  with 


24  Old  Japan 

the  countenance  of  a  God  within  the  branches  of  yonder 
cassia- tree." 

Wata-tsumi,  the  Sea-God,  went  forth,  and  calling 
Ho-wori,  cried: 

"Descend,  thou  Son-of-the-Gods,  and  deign  to  ac- 
company me  to  my  unworthy  dwelling." 

Leading  Ho-wori  through  his  stately  palace  he  seated 
him  upon  a  throne  cushioned  eightfold  with  the  skins 
of  sea-lions.  Before  him,  upon  a  table  of  coral,  he 
set  a  sumptuous  banquet,  served  on  plates  of  pearl. 
They  sipped  rare  ocean-sake  from  silvery  shells,  while 
fiddler  crabs  discoursed  sweet  music  on  the  golden 
strand. 

^When  they  had  feasted  to  their  hearts'  content, 
Ho-wori  led  the  peerless  Princess  to  the  terrace,  where 
in  a  shadowy  garden  of  sea-blooms,  he  whispered  his 
undying  love,  and  Toyo-tama  graciously  consented  to 
become  his  bride.  They  confided  their  joyous  secret 
to  the  Sea-God  who  gave  them  his  fatherly  blessing, 
whereupon  they  plighted  their  troth  anew  and  ex- 
changed nuptial  cups  of  the  sweet  ocean-sake. 

Thereafter  Prince  Fire-Fade  related  to  the  Sea-God 
the  tale  of  the  lost  fish-hook,  and  Wata-tsumi  summoned 
before  him  all  the  fishes  of  his  kingdom.  Thousands 
upon  thousands  they  came,  fishes  "broad  of  fin  and 
narrow  of  fin,"  from  the  remote  recesses  of  the  mounts 
and  valleys  of  the  sea. 

When  they  had  all  assembled  in  the  Court-of-Sea- 


The  Travail  of  the  Gods  25 

weed  the  Ocean-God  questioned  them,  saying:  "Know 
ye  aught,  my  faithful  subjects,  of  the  magic  fish-hook 
of  Prince  Fire-Flame?" 

"We  know  naught,"  answered  the  Lobster,  "except 
that  the  Red  Woman  (the  Tai)  bideth  at  home  with 
a  wounded  mouth." 

Wata-tsumi  then  despatched  a  fleet-finned  swordfish 
to  summon  the  Red  Woman  to  their  council.  After 
a  little  the  Tai  came,  and  within  her  swollen  gills  was 
discovered  the  lost  fish-hook! 

For  three  long  years  Ho-wori  dwelt  happily  with 
his  Peerless  Jewel  Toyo-tama  in  the  palace  beneath  the 
ocean.  Then  a  great  longing  came  upon  him  to  return 
to  his  earthly  home  and  to  restore  the  lost  fish-hook  to 
his  brother. 

Toyo-tama,  sorely  troubled,  told  her  father  of  her 
sorrow.  But  the  Sea-God,  by  no  means  resenting  the 
desire  of  his  son-in-law,  delivered  unto  him  the  fish- 
hook, bidding  him: 

"When  thou  givest  this  to  thy  brother  spit  thrice 
thereon  and  hand  it  to  him  with  averted  face  saying, 
1  'Tis  a  hook  of  poverty,  of  ruin,  and  of  downfall.' " 

Moreover  Wata-tsumi  presented  Ho-wori  with  two 
talismans  wherewith  to  rule  the  tides  of  the  sea,  enjoin- 
ing him : 

"If  thy  brother  be  wroth  bring  forth  the  Jewel  of 
the  Flowing  Tide,  and  the  waters  shall  drown  him. 
But  if  he  craveth  thy  forgiveness  do  thou  display  the 


26  Old  Japan 

Jewel  of  the  Ebbing  Tide  and  the  waters  shall  sudden 
recede  and  therewithal  thou  shalt  save  him." 

As  Ho-wori  was  about  to  depart  Toyo-tama  confided 
to  him  that  she  was  soon  to  become  a  mother. 

"Yet  tarry  not,"  she  entreated,  "but  build  for  me  a 
house  upon  the  strand.  On  a  day  when  the  tempest 
rageth  I  will  come  to  thee." 

Prince  Fire-Fade  mounted  a  sea-dragon  and  rode 
swiftly  over  the  mountains  and  valleys  of  the  sea  to  his 
own  land. 

When  he  found  his  brother  he  restored  to  him  the 
lost  fish-hook;  and  Prince  Fire-Flame  begged  his  for- 
giveness and  promised  eternal  subjection. 

On  a  day,  "when  the  winds  and  waves  were  raging," 
Princess  Peerless  Jewel  came  gliding  over  the  water 
throned  upon  a  great  tortoise. 

On  the  strand  Ho-wori  had  builded  a  cottage ' '  thatched 
with  cormorant  feathers,"  and  here,  in  due  season,  was 
she  delivered  of  a  beauteous  son.  When  she  had  laid 
him  in  his  joyous  father's  arms,  Toyo-tama,  transformed 
into  a  mermaid,  disappeared  for  ever,  in  the  depths  of 
the  jade-green  sea. 

Long  and  bitterly  lamented  Prince  Fire-Fade: 

Gone  is  the  Moon  from  out  the  summer  sky, 
Spring's  wonted  flowers  for  me  no  longer  bloom. 
All  changeth;  former  light  is  present  gloom, 
But  still  my  changeless  love  lives  on  exhaustlessly. x 

1  Narahira. 


The  Travail  of  the  Gods  27 

The  boy  grew  apace,  lithe  and  graceful  as  a  sea-gull, 
blithe  offspring  of  the  sea  and  sky. 

He  longed  to  become  a  fearless  sailor  and  skim  the 
foamy  billows  in  his  speedy  sampan,  questing  ever 
strange  and  unknown  lands.  Distant  voices  called 
to  him  from  the  deep.  The  winds  whispered  ever  of 
a  fairy  country  overflowing  with  fruit  and  flowers. 
Nevertheless  he  lingered  in  Kyushu,  biding  with 
his  beloved  father  rather  than  leave  him  childless 
in  his  declining  years.  When  Prince  Fire-Fade's 
spirit  was  borne  to  the  Eternal  Land,  whence  none 
may  return,  his  son  committed  his  body  to  the 
waves. 

Years  after,  feeling  himself  at  death's  door,  he  sum- 
moned to  his  bedside  his  son,  Jimmu  Tenno,  and 
commanded  him : 

"Of  old  the  beneficent  Heavenly  Deities  conferred 
our  Sunny  Land  of  Rice  Plains  upon  Ninigi,  my  divine 
ancestor.  Now  I  learn  that  eastward  lieth  Yamato, 
a  fair  land  girt  by  snow-crowned  mountains,  an  isle 
of  ease  and  plenty  circled  by  the  sapphire  sea.  Up 
therefore,  journey  thither,  subdue  its  savage  tribes, 
that  thy  descendants  may  dwell  for  ever  in  that  fair 
country." 

Then  the  ever-bountiful  Sun  Goddess  sent  Yataga- 
rasu  the  raven  to  guide  him  upon  his  way;  and  Jimmu, 
bearing  with  him  the  sacred  regalia,  necklace,  sword, 


28  Old  Japan 

and  mirror,  sailed  through  the  Sea  of  Myriad  Isles 
to  the  flowery  land  of  Yamato. 

There  he  established  his  kingdom,  which,  thus  the 
eternal  gods  have  ordained,  shall  last  from  generation 
to  generation  so  long  as  sun  and  moon  endure ! 


CHAPTER  II 

THE  LABOURS  OF  YAMATO 

I 
THE  RESCUE  OF  THE  PRINCESS 

T  ONG,  long  ago  in  the  old  half-forgotten  ages, 
*~*  when  this  world  was  in  its  tender  infancy,  there 
lived  a  lad  named  Yamato,  the  four  times  great-grand- 
son of  Amaterasu,  Goddess  of  glorious  light. 

This  Yamato  was  a  youth  of  comely  mien,  great  of 
stature,  strong  and  fearless  and  skilful  in  the  use  of 
arms.  It  fortuned  that  on  a  day  he  fared  forth  from 
his  palace  to  bathe  in  the  breakers  of  Suminoye.  Up 
through  forests  of  giant  cryptomeria,  over  hill  and  vale, 
through  flooded  moorlands  verdant  with  the  glow  of 
the  young  rice  ears,  he  journeyed  till  he  came  to  the 
cliffs  of  the  great  surging  sea. 

Mounting  a  crag,  and  divesting  himself  of  his  rai- 
ment, he  plunged  deep  into  the  heart  of  the  swirling 
surf.  Manfully  he  strove  through  the  briny  breakers 
which  like  great  white  chargers  came  galloping  ever 

29 


30  Old  Japan 

onward  to  the  strand,  now  breasting  their  foamy 
summits  with  a  stroke  of  his  powerful  arm,  then 
whelmed  in  the  emerald  hollows  with  the  ebb  of  the 
wave. 

When  he  had  disported  himself  like  a  playful  por- 
poise to  his  heart's  content,  he  laid  him  down  upon  the 
sunny  strand.  As  he  lay  thus  he  fell  a-dreaming, 
whereupon,  through  drifting  mists  of  revery,  there 
came  to  him  the  vision  of  a  mermaid  beauteous  as  the 
Night  with  raven  tresses  and  eyes  of  larkspur  blue, 
who  glided  suddenly  from  a  cavern  in  the  cliff  hard  by. 

Yamato  rubbed  his  sleep-laden  eyes,  and  halloing 
lustily,  plunged  into  the  surges  and  swam  swiftly  after 
her.  But  the  siren,  affrighted,  with  a  quick  flip 
of  her  lustrous-scaled  tail  sank  beneath  the  water 
and  vanished  from  view;  and  though  Yamato  searched 
diligently  for  the  entrance  to  her  cavern  no  trace  of  it 
could  he  find. 

Oft  thereafter  the  youth  wandered  to  Suminoye 
questing  the  siren.  For  hours  he  would  lie  prone  upon 
the  rocks  vainly  searching  the  darkling  water  for  the 
glitter  of  her  lithe  body;  but  the  lovely  Nereid  came 
nevermore. 

Many  tides  flowed  and  ebbed  upon  the  beach  of 
Suminoye,  and  the  long-deferred  day  for  the  wedding 
of  Yamato  with  the  Princess  Tacibana  had  at  last 
come. 


The  Labours  of  Yamato  31 

He  was  returning  from  her  father's  palace  with  his 
betrothed  bride..  As  he  rode  beside  her  litter,  his 
band  of  warriors  trailing  behind  them  through  the 
dusky  forest,  he  passed  a  great  and  lofty  castle  seated 
upon  a  beetling  crag.  It  was  walled  about  with  pali- 
sades and  defended  moreover  by  rocky  bulwarks 
overhanging  a  wide  and  turbid  stream. 

Here  lurked  a  band  of  mounted  brigands  armed  to 
the  teeth,  commanded  by  a  bandit  notorious  for  his 
crimes  through  all  Izumo. 

Scarcely  had  Yamato  and  his  bride  appeared  than 
the  brigands  galloped  over  the  drawbridge  and  with 
pike  and  gisarme  fell  upon  them.  Whereupon  the  litter- 
bearers  fled  incontinently,  leaving  Yamato  to  confront 
the  bandits  single-handed. 

As  flash  the  lightning  bolts  about  Fujiyama  so  fell 
the  sword  of  Yamato  upon  the  heads  of  the  unhappy 
miscreants.  A  score  of  the  foremost  brigands  fell 
before  his  terrible  lunges;  the  remaining  cravens  were 
fleeing  for  their  lives,  when  the  chieftain  sprang  sud- 
denly upon  Yamato  with  a  thunderous  mace-stroke 
felling  him  instantly  to  the  ground. 

Then  all  was  dark.  Far  away,  like  the  murmur  of 
distant  surges,  Yamato  heard  the  shrieks  of  his  be- 
trothed as  the  bandit  bore  her  to  his  castle. 

With  might  and  main  he  vainly  strove  to  raise  him- 
self, but  his  steed  lay  across  his  body,  and  black  waves 
of  death  surged  over  his  soul. 


32  Old  Japan 

Some  while  later  he  recovered  consciousness,  in  the 
temple  of  Ise,  whither  his  warriors  had  borne  him  in 
the  litter  of  the  Princess.  Here  the  chief  priestess 
salved  his  wounds  with  a  wondrous  healing  balsam, 
so  that  he  speedily  revived,  no  whit  the  worse  for  his 
encounter,  and  clamoured  lustily  for  steed  and  men. 

Nevertheless  the  high  priestess  stayed  him  with 
wise  and  timely  counsel.  "This  castle,"  quoth  she, 
"is  so  stoutly  defended  that  none  may  take  it  either 
by  siege  or  assault.  Its  lord  is  the  infamous  outlaw 
Takeru.  He  hath  assembled  thither  a  host  of  desper- 
ate and  vicious  men  who  carry  off  maidens  from  their 
homes  and  hold  them  in  durance  vile." 

Yamato  flashed  with  rage:  "Gird  on  my  sword," 
he  cried,  "and  bid  my  warriors  make  ready!" 

Whereupon  the  priestess  protested:  "Nay,  take  the 
sacred  sword  of  Susa-no-wo,  but  hide  it  neath  thy 
garments,  for  these  be  the  weapons  whereby  thou  shalt 
conquer." 

Then  she  brought  forth  a  woman's  broidered  robe, 
and,  tiring  his  hair  like  a  dancing  maiden's,  decked  it 
with  a  gleaming  tiara,  and  hung  about  his  shoulders 
the  sacred  necklace  of  the  Sun  Goddess. 

Yamato,  seeing  himself  thus  transformed  into  a 
maiden  of  surpassing  beauty,  doubted  not  that  in  this 
guise  he  would  compass  the  ruin  of  his  foes. 

Bidding  his  warriors  follow  at  a  little  space,  he  jour- 
neyed alone  to  the  outlaw's  castle. 


The  Labours  of  Yamato  33 

When  he  reached  the  gate  the  sentry,  little  deeming 
that  this  beauteous  damsel  was  a  sturdy  warrior, 
with  an  evil  smile  permitted  him  to  pass. 

Yamato  traversed  an  interminable  gallery  leading  to 
a  lofty  chamber  where  in  solitary  grandeur  the  noto- 
rious bandit  sat  at  meal.  Sodden  with  sake,  he  leered 
drunkenly  upon  Yamato,  as,  with  a  graceful  obeisance, 
the  seeming  dancing-maid  addressed  him:  "Permit, 
honourable  Lord,  that  I  pour  thee  a  cup  of  sake." 

Perceiving  his  queenly  visitor,  the  bandit  let  fall 
the  pheasant  which  he  was  devouring  and  gaped  upon 
her  in  astonishment. 

"How  earnest  thou  hither,  my  sweet  hussy?"  he 
thundered. 

"The  warriors  of  Yamato  pursued  me,  gracious 
Lord,  and  I  seek  thy  honourable  protection  in  this 
thy  castle." 

"Of  a  surety,"  exclaimed  the  delighted  bandit,  "thou 
shalt  find  all  thou  seekest.  Come  sit  thou  beside  me, 
for  none  other  shall  pour  my  wine  so  long  as  I 
do  live." 

"That  were  too  great  honour,"  answered  Yamato, 
the  whiles  he  said  within  himself:  "Thou  speakest  more 
truly  than  thou  knowest,  for  when  I  have  done  with 
thee  thou  shalt  drink  no  more." 

Whereupon  Yamato  poured  sake  for  the  bandit, 
simulating  the  mincing  steps  of  a  dancing-maid  and 
casting  upon  him  sly  alluring  glances. 


34  Old  Japan 

Takeru  became  more  and  more  enamoured  of  his 
fair  servitor,  and,  inflamed  by  his  potations,  clasped 
the  pretended  maid  in  his  arms. 

Yamato  wrestled  with  such  unforeseen  might  that 
Takeru,  perceiving  his  supposed  sweetheart  to  be  no 
fragile  maiden,  but  a  steel-sinewed  warrior,  howled  with 
affright,  and  releasing  his  grasp,  stealthily  whipped 
forth  a  knife. 

Yamato,  nothing  daunted,  sprang  beneath  his  up- 
lifted arm,  and  grasping  the  wrist  of  Takeru  bent  it 
backward  until  the  bones  snapped. 

Letting  fall  the  dirk  Takeru  groaned: 

"Verily  thou  hast  conquered;  but  tell  me,  I  beseech 
thee,  by  whose  hand  I  die,  for  myself  have  I  ever  held 
to  be  the  most  valiant  of  men." 

"I  am  called  by  the  name  of  my  country,"  cried 
Yamato,  as  he  dealt  the  avenging  death-stroke. 

"Henceforth,"  gasped  the  bandit,  "be  thou  known 
as  Yamato-take  (Stout-hearted- Yamato) ,  for  there  be 
none  like  thee  in  all  the  land ! "  Thus  speaking  the  ban- 
dit gave  up  his  evil  soul. 

Like  flame  borne  by  the  whirlwind,  Yamato  swept 
through  the  castle  questing  the  imprisoned  Princess. 

"Tacibana!"  he  cried  from  deepest  dungeon  to  the 
topmost  tower,  "Tacibana,  thou  art  free!" 

At  last  he  heard  a  faint  wail,  like  the  cry  of  a  wounded 
bird,  and,  bursting  in  the  massive  gate  of  a  treasure- 
chamber,  discovered  the  unconscious  Princess  lying 


The  Labours  of  Yamato  35 

prone  upon  the  pavement,  her  hands  bound  behind 
her  back.  In  her  agony  of  apprehension  she  had 
loosed  from  her  headdress  a  jewelled  dagger  which 
she  held  between  her  teeth,  ready  to  fall  thereon  at 
the  coming  of  Takeru. 

Yamato  severed  her  bonds  with  a  swift  sword- 
stroke,  crying,  "Tacibana,  it  is  I." 

Then  raising  his  hunting  horn  to  his  lips  he  sounded 
the  signal  for  the  onset. 

L  Thereupon,  after  a  turbulent  encounter  in  the  castle- 
court,  his  doughty  warriors  overwhelmed  with  sore 
disaster  the  astonished  bandits,  who,  learning  that 
their  chieftain  had  perished,  soon  lost  heart  and  gave 
themselves  up,  yielding  subjection  to  this  unknown 
avenging  amazon. 

Placing  his  joyous  Princess  before  him  upon  the 
bandit's  charger,  and  followed  by  a  goodly  cavalcade 
freighted  with  rich  loot  from  the  castle  treasuries, 
Yamato  rode  in  triumph  to  his  palace  at  Kashiwa- 
bara.  * 

In  the  evening,  mid  great  rejoicing,  were  the  wedding 
cups  of  sake  exchanged ;  and  though  Yamato  bestowed 
many  precious  gifts  upon  his  lovesome  bride,  none 
gladdened  her  heart  more  than  the  gaily  embroidered 
robe,  garbed  in  which  he  had  delivered  her  from  the 
bandit  Takeru. 

1  Old  Nara. 


36  Old  Japan 

II 

THE   GROT   OF  LOVE 

When  'neath  the  drowsy  hill  the  Day  doth  fade, 
And  Eve  with  ebon  wing  doth  earth  enfold, 

Then  come  to  me  and  in  my  grot  abide; 
There  will  I  cloak  thee  from  the  winter  cold 

Within  warm-nestling  arms,  with  thine  enlaced. 
Pillowed  upon  my  breast  more  bright  than  gold, 

Clasping  the  silken  girdle  of  my  waist, 
Thou  'It  lie  beneath  a  coverlet  of  flowers, 
And  sleep  and  dream  away  the  idle  hours. 

Then,  if  my  passion  thou  wouldst  deign  to  prove, 

Come  dwell  with  me  within  my  grot  of  love. 

KOJIKI. 

Now  it  came  to  pass  that,  though  his  Princess  was 
ever  an  obedient  and  gentle  wife,  the  fickle  Yamato 
soon  wearied  of  her  constant  devotion.  Since  there 
was  no  more  fighting  to  be  done  in  her  behalf,  Tacibana 
seemed  to  him  tedious  and  of  little  worth.  Wherefore 
sought  he  distraction  in  the  zest  of  the  chase,  riding 
far  afield  in  quest  of  stag  and  boar  and  neglecting  his 
dutiful  Princess,  who  grieved  sorely  but  uttered  no 
word  of  plaint. 

Yamato  longed  for  his  lost  siren,  the  mysterious  mer- 
maid. One  day  he  wandered  on  the  isle  of  Enoshima, 
led  thither  by  strains  of  elfin  music,  floating  from  the 
realms  of  air.  On  and  on  he  followed  the  haunting 
melody,  seeming  now  to  issue  from  the  very  bowels  of 
the  earth. 


The  Labours  of  Yamato  37 

Descending  the  jutting  cliff  to  the  ever-seething 
vvaters  he  beheld  a  great  grotto  from  whose  hidden 
depths  glowed  a  wondrous  emerald  light.  While  he 
pondered  upon  this,  he  heard  again  the  eerie  music  and 
saw  a  flitting  of  faint  shadows  as  of  strange  celestial 
damsels. 

Plunging  through  the  surges,  Yamato  swam  to  the 
mouth  of  the  cave.  Here  he  paused  as  though  he 
would  fain  draw  back,  for  often  had  he  heard  old 
wives'  tales  how  this  grotto  was  a  trap  baited  with 
unearthly  bliss,  whence  no  mortal  might  e'er  return. 
Then  he  heard  the  heart-enthralling  strains  anew,  and 
a  voice  wondrous  sweet  calling  his  very  name,  and 
he  struck  out  manfully  for  the  cavern. 

His  foot  fell  upon  a  seeming  rock,  which  yielded 
suddenly  beneath  his  weight  and  a  monstrous  dragon, 
snorting  terribly,  lumbered  forth  into  the  sea.  Nothing 
daunted  Yamato  entered  the  grotto,  and,  ever  follow- 
ing the  strange  emerald  light  through  long  and  tor- 
tuous galleries,  came  at  last  to  a  vast  and  lofty  chamber. 

Here  burst  upon  his  enraptured  vision 

So  fair  a  scene, 

That  mortal  eye  might  ween 

It  scann'd  the  very  heavens'  unknown  delight. 

For  ne'er  in  those  old  vasty  halls  imperial 

Bath'd  in  the  moonbeams  bright, 

Or  where  the  dragon  soars  on  clouds  ethereal, 

Was  aught  like  this  to  entrance  the  sight : 

With  golden  sand  and  silvern  pebbles  white 


38  Old  Japan 

Was  strewn  the  floor; 

And  at  the  corners  four, 

Through  gates  inlaid 

With  diamonds  and  jade, 

Pass'd  throngs  whose  vestments  were  of  radiant  light. r 

Upon  a  couch  of  coral  bowered  mid  glittering  sea- 
blooms,  reclined  his  lost  siren,  singing  softly  the  whiles 
she  gently  fingered  a  gold  and  amber  lute. 

"Mortal,  behold  Benten,  Goddess  of  Deathless 
Love,"  sang  the  mermaid.  "Deign,  most  worshipful 
stranger,  to  taste  the  pleasures  of  our  watery  realm." 

Even  as  she  spake  her  beauteous  handmaidens 
spread  before  the  delighted  youth  a  banquet  of  rare 
and  delicious  dishes,  such  as  he  had  never  known. 
Sweet  ambrosial  sake  they  poured  into  cups  of  frail- 
stemmed  sea-lilies.  Heaps  of  gem-like  fruits  gleamed 
on  plates  of  opalescent  anemones.  Translucent  shells 
of  pearl  shed  throughout  the  chamber  a  soft  silvery 
light,  and  entrancing  strains  pulsated  from  unseen 
recesses,  breathing  of  peace  and  love. 

Yamato,  kneeling  spellbound  at  the  throne  of  the 
Goddess,  implored:  "Grant  me  thy  love,  sweet  siren — 
else  I  shall  surely  die." 

With  eyes  abased  Benten  fingered  idly  her  gold  and 
amber  lute.  Strangely  sweet  the  songs  she  sang,  but 
sweeter  still  the  caresses  she  lavished  upon  the  in- 
fatuated youth. 

1  From  a  "No  Drama"  translated  by  Dr.  B.  H.  Chamberlain. 


The  Labours  of  Yamato  39 

Suddenly  she  cast  him  from  her:  "To  win  my  love 
thou  must  dare  death,"  she  demanded  imperiously. 

"There  is  naught  I  would  not  venture,  gentle  God- 
dess," he  declared  fervidly,  "for  the  sake  of  life  with 
thee." 

Benten  smiled  incredulously.  "Sail  to  Horaizan," 
she  commanded.  "Gain  the  Golden  Apple  of  Immor- 
tal Youth;  and  thereafter  shalt  thou  dwell  with  me 
in  unending  love." 

"I  pray  thee  tell  me  of  this  land,"  besought  Yamato. 

"List,"  cried  the  siren;  the  whiles  strumming  her 
golden  lute  she  sang: 

THE  QUEST  OF  THE  GOLDEN  APPLE 

In  the  long-forgotten  ages  of  the  heroes  and  the  sages, 

Far  across  the  Yellow  Ocean  in  the  kingdom  of  Cathay, 
Once  there  dwelt  a  cruel  creature,  mean  of  soul  and  cold 

of  feature, 

Whom   all  worshipped  as  an  idol,   bowing  neath  his 
despot  sway. 

Now  Jofuku,  court  physician,  sore  lamented  his  position, 
Ever  fearing  lest  the  morrow  were  his  last  remaining  day, 
So  the  leech  one  lovely  morning  to  his  master  giveth  warn- 
ing 

And  salaams  his  august  kingship  and  these  words  to  him 
doth  say: 

"Grant  me  but  a  junk,  good  Master,  wherein  I  without 

disaster 
To  the  '  Isle  of  Life  Eternal,'  far  beyond  the  sun,  may  sail ; 


40  Old  Japan 

Then  will  I  the  Apple  Golden  for  thee  pluck,  whereby  thine 

olden 

Limbs  shall  leap  with  youth  immortal,  ever  beautiful 
and  hale." 

So  the  King,  in  jubilation,  made  but  little  altercation; 
And    Jofuku    journeyed    southward    o'er    the    smiling, 

sapphire  sea. 
Days  and  months  and  years  together  sailed  he  on  through 

wind  and  weather, 
Till  above  the  far  horizon  he  beheld  a  Wonder-Tree! 

Floating  on  the  idle  billow  like  a  head  upon  a  pillow, 
Fast  asleep  upon  the  ocean  dreaming  midst  the  foam- 
flowers  white, 
Loomed  the  Tree  of  Youth  Immortal,  of  eternal  life  the 

portal, 
Growing  out  the  misty  marges  of  an  Island  of  Delight. 

Quoth  Jofuku:  "Yon  fair  island  is  no  other  isle  than  my 

land, 

Here  shall  I  abide  for  ever  eating  of  this  Wonder-Tree!" 
So  forthwith  the  junk  he  stranded  and  upon  the  shore  he 

landed, 
In  a  Forest  of  Enchantment  floating  on  the  sapphire  sea. 

And  for  fivescore  years  he  dwelt  there,  nor  the  flight  of 

time  he  felt,  where 
Birth  and  Death  and  Age  exist  not  lightly  sped  the 

'tranced  hours, 
In  a  round  of  endless  pleasure,  rife  with  joyance  beyond 

measure, 
Lived  Jofuku  in  this  paradise  of  ever-blooming  flowers. 

Till  one  day  he  longed  to  sally  o'er  the  ocean's  foam-flowered 
valley 


14  Days  and  months  and  years  together 
Sailed  he  on  through  wind  and  weather." 


Till  above  the  far  horizon  he  beheld  a  Wonder-Tree !  " 

From  "  Old-World  Japan,"  by  T.  H.  Robinson 
Permission  of  Macmillan  Co. 


"  Mounted  on  its  snowy  pinions  swiftly  soared  across  the  foam  " 

From  "  Old-World  Japan,"  by  T.  H.  Robinson 
Permission  of  Macmillan  Co. 


The  Labours  of  Yamato  41 

As  he  wistful  watched  the  sea-fowl  winging  southward 

through  the  sky; 
Then  he  hailed  a  storklet  siender  and  in  accents  sweet  and 

tender 
Pleaded:  "Pray  kind  bird  transport  me  to  my  home  ere 

yet  I  die!" 

And  the  stork  forthwith  consented  and  the  leech,  with  joy 

demented, 
Mounted  on  its  snowy  pinions,  swiftly  soared  across  the 

foam, 
Bearing  thence  the  Apple  Golden  safe  within  his  arms 

enf  olden, 

To   his   native   land  returning,   never  more   again  to 
roam. 

For  the  tyrant's  life  had  ended   and  Jofuku  now   as- 
cended, 
Khan  of  Khans,  enthroned  for  ever  o'er  the  kingdom  of 

Cathay, 
Far  across  the  Yellow  Ocean,  worshipped  with  a  blind 

devotion, 

Wields  he  o'er  a  myriad  Tartars  still  the  sceptre  to  this 
day. 

ENVOY 

"Prince!  if  thou  wouldst  be  my  lover,  that  Enchanted 

Isle  discover, 
Bring  me  back  the  Golden  Apple,  thy  devotion  thus  to 

prove ! 
Then  in  joyance  beyond  measure,  in  a  round  of  ceaseless 

pleasure, 
Thou  shalt  dwell  with  me  for  ever  in  eternal  youth  and 

love." 


42  Old  Japan 

III 

THE   DEMON   BOAR 

Returning  to  Kashiwa-bara,  Yamato  demanded  of 
all  his  courtiers  concerning  the  Island  of  Golden  Apples, 
but  none  had  heard  thereof. 

Thereupon  he  wandered  to  the  ports  and  harbours, 
questioning  ever  the  sailors  and  fishermen,  nor  had  any 
of  these  bold  seafarers  beheld  the  wondrous  land. 

A  lethargy  of  despair  fell  upon  him.  He  delighted 
no  longer  in  the  sports  of  the  field,  neither  in  feasting 
with  his  boon  companions  nor  in  biding  at  home  with 
his  fair  and  lovesome  wife. 

Right  joyously  did  Tacibana  greet  him  after  his 
long  absence,  though  ofttimes  the  tears  welled  to  her 
eyes  as  she  beheld  him  gazing  wistfully  upon  the  sea. 

"Why  do  you  weep?"  he  asked  impatiently;  and 
sweetly  she  answered:  "For  happiness,  good  my  Lord. 

"Like  rain  upon  a  parching  flower 

Thy  presence  is  to  me; 
But  grieving  lone  for  many  an  hour 
I  withered  without  thee." 

(FUJIWARA  NO  MOTOSHI.) 

On  a  day  came  certain  of  the  country  folk  to  Yamato 
plaining: 

"Know,  great  Prince,  that  in  the  forest  of  Hakone 
rageth  a  giant  boar.  None  is  there  who  dareth  oppose 
him,  for  he  is  possessed  of  a  demon,  even  by  Susa-no-wo, 


The  Labours  of  Yamato  43 

who  rideth  upon  him  brandishing  spear  and  sword, 
scattering  fiery  arrows  and  carrying  murrain  and 
pestilence  throughout  the  land." 

Then  cried  Yamato:  "I  will  forthwith  to  Ise  and 
take  counsel  how  I  may  vanquish  this  demon  boar!" 

Right  gladly  the  high  priestess  welcomed  Yamato. 
"Eagerly  have  I  awaited  thy  coming,"  she  exclaimed. 
"Fain  would  I  tender  thee  the  Sacred  Sword,  for  with 
no  other  weapon  can  this  boar  be  slain.  In  his  tail 
alone  is  the  monster  vulnerable  and  he  runneth  more 
swiftly  than  the  wind." 

Greatly  marvelling,  Yamato  took  the  sword.  "How 
then,  save  in  sleep,  may  I  overtake  him?"  he  pondered. 
"Yet  would  I  not  slay  him  defenceless.  Such  easy 
conquest  delighteth  not  my  heart." 

With  a  band  of  hardy  huntsmen  Yamato  set  forth 
to  a  forest  at  the  foot  of  Fujiyama. 

Startling  to  air  myriads  of  winged  creatures,  out- 
running swift-footed  hares  in  tempestuous  flight,  cours- 
ing hither  and  thither  with  nose  to  earth,  the  pack 
pursued  the  scent,  lustily  giving  tongue  while  the  merry 
cavalcade  galloped  furiously  upon  their  heels. 

Ever  higher  through  dusky  forest  glades  they  climbed 
to  the  bright-shining  uplands.  A  scent  of  thyme  floated 
on  the  breeze;  velvet  heather  lay  like  a  carpet  beneath 
their  feet.  Towering  like  mighty  castles  one  above 


44  Old  Japan 

the  other,  peak  overtopping  peak  in  never  ending  flight, 
mighty  mountains  loomed  their  time-scarred  battle- 
ments against  the  cloudless  sky. 

Up  steep  ravines  and  beetling  cliffs  they  mounted  to 
a  jagged  crag,  where,  backed  against  a  writhen  cedar, 
beset  about  by  the  clamorous  hounds,  roaring  in  wrath 
at  this  invasion  of  his  secret  lair,  stood  at  bay  the 
giant  demon  boar. 

Valiantly  the  pack  drove  upon  him,  only  to  be 
tossed  instantly  in  air  and  to  fall,  tusked  through  the 
entrails,  in  pools  of  gore.  Whereat  the  bowmen  let 
fly  a  cloud  of  arrows,  but  their  shafts  rebounded  like 
hail  from  the  boar's  invulnerable  hide. 

Then  Yamato,  heedless  of  the  warning  of  the  high 
priestess,  set  his  spear  in  rest  and  urged  his  stallion 
to  the  charge.  An  instant  later  the  steed  impaled 
itself  upon  the  terrible  tusks  and  Yamato  toppled 
headlong  to  the  ground. 

Staggering  dazedly  to  his  feet  he  strove  to  raise 
his  steed,  but  the  noble  creature  quivered  in  its  death 
agony,  gazing  helplessly  upon  its  master  with  mute, 
appealing  eyes. 

Of  a  sudden,  bristling  with  baffled  wrath,  snorting 
furiously,  and  gnashing  his  murderous  tusks,  the  mon- 
ster charged. 

Hoping  to  spear  him  as  he  passed,  Yamato  sprang 
behind  the  trunk  of  a  tree.  But  the  boar  had  halted, 
and  with  cruel  cunning  bided  his  time. 


"  A  giant  boar  possessed  of  a  demon,  Susa-no-wo, 


"  Who  rideth  upon  him  brandishing  spear  and  sword  scattering  fiery  arrows 
and  carrying  murrain  and  pestilence  throughout  the  land" 

(Hokusai) 


"  Yamato  bestrode  the  Boar  and  grasping  the  tail  severed  it  from  the 

spine" 

(Hokusai) 


The  Labours  of  Yamato  45 

Thereupon  our  hero  found  himself  in  sorry  straits. 
On  the  one  hand  yawned  a  black  abyss,  on  the 
other  stood  a  threatening  monster.  To  leap  into 
the  chasm  or  to  dare  the  demon  were  alike  certain 
death.  But  Yamato,  undaunted,  drew  the  Sacred 
Sword,  and  with  an  agile  bound  springing  clean  over 
the  boar's  head,  he  bestrode  the  astonished  creature 
and,  grasping  his  tail,  severed  it  suddenly  from  the 
spine. 

Blind  with  pain  the  demon  plunged  over  the 
precipice,  and  was  dashed  into  a  thousand  fragments 
upon  the  rocks  below;  while  Yamato,  sliding  dex- 
terously from  its  back,  remained  in  safety  upon  the 
brink. 


IV 


THE  GRASS-CLEAVING   SWORD 

Then  came  Yamato  and  his  valiant  warriors  to  the 
pine-clad  shore  of  Suruga.  Having  pacified  the  unsub- 
missive savages  of  the  mountains  and  rivers,  they 
journeyed  until  they  came  to  the  wide-spreading  plains 
of  Sagami. 

Here  the  chieftains  welcomed  Yamato  with  feigned 
hospitality,  inviting  his  warriors  to  a  deer-hunt  upon 
the  moor. 

Little  deeming  the  treachery  in  store  for  them,  they 
set  forth  eagerly  on  the  chase.  All  day  long  they 


46  Old  Japan 

stalked  the  stag  through  the  wide-spreading  moorlands, 
and  at  eve  bivouacked  upon  the  dry  and  grassy  plain. 

"At  the  hour  when  rivers  are  most  clamorous," 
Yamato  was  awakened  by  a  strange,  unwonted  sound, 
— a  crackling  as  of  goblin  laughter  and  a  swishing  as  of 
ghostly  shrouds. 

"Surely,"  he  said  within  himself,  rubbing  his 
smarting  eyelids,  "'tis  but  a  dream,  an  evil-boding 
dream." 

But  the  crackling  swiftly  increased,  till  it  became 
a  mighty  roar.  An  unwonted  light  glowed  in  the 
heavens  and  the  stars  were  shrouded  by  a  cloud  of 
lurid  smoke  writhing  ever  upward  like  a  serpent  of 
living  fire. 

Springing  to  his  feet,  Yamato  saw  that  the  entire 
moor  (before  him,  on  either  hand,  and  behind)  was  a 
sea  of  leaping  flames!  Shouting  to  his  comrades,  he 
strove  vainly  to  discern  an  opening  in  the  impenetrable 
barrier  of  fire. 

Meantime  another  and  greater  peril  fell  upon  them. 
Thousands  of  deer,  terror-stricken  before  the  approach- 
ing flames,  rushed  frantically  to  and  fro,  trampling 
and  goring  horses  and  huntsmen  in  blind  insensate 
flight. 

Wrenching  themselves  free  of  their  tethers,  the  fright- 
ened horses  galloped  screaming  through  the  camp.  In 
mad  stampede  they  coursed  round  and  round,  within 
the  ever-narrowing  wall  of  flames,  surging  onward 


The  Labours  of  Yamato  47 

with  their  long  streaming  manes,  like  foaming  billows 
breaking  over  rocks. 

Thereupon,  rather  than  to  meet  death  beneath 
those  cruel  hoofs,  Yamato  bade  his  archers  shoot  down 
the  maddened  steeds. 

But  the  fire  waxed  more  and  more  furious,  hemming 
them  within  an  ever-narrowing  circle,  till  all  hope  died 
within  the  hearts  of  the  prisoned  men. 

Of  a  sudden  amid  the  fiery  smoke  wreaths,  Yamato 
beheld  a  spectre  which  wavered  upon  the  sea  of  flames. 
Ever  nearer  it  came  till  he  perceived  a  maiden  in  fiery 
garments  running  through  the  burning  grass.  As  she 
ran  she  tore  off  her  flaming  vestments,  till,  her  long 
hair  singed,  her  fair  body  pitifully  scorched,  Tacibana 
fell  trembling  at  his  feet. 

She  uttered  no  cry  of  pain,  but  joyously  bespake 
him: 

"Behold  this  fire-drill,  0  Beloved!  By  its  aid  thou 
mayst  find  safety." 

Then  Yamato  mowed  down  a  circle  of  grass  with 
the  Sacred  Sword,  and,  taking  the  drill,  kindled  back- 
fire; thus  making  an  isle  of  safety  in  the  ocean  of 
flame.  Whereupon  the  wind,  turned  the  fire  upon  the 
treacherous  savages,  consuming  them  utterly. 

Thus  did  my  hero  and  his  warriors  make  good  their 
escape,  by  virtue  of  the  "Sacred  Grass-Cleaving 
Sword,"  yet,  methinks,  more  justly  by  the  brave  devo- 
tion of  the  Princess  Tacibana. 


48  Old  Japan 

V 

THE  SACRED   SWORD 

Benten 

'Neath  jutting  cliffs,  upon  relentless  sands 
Where  thund'rous  surges  ever  seethe  and  boil, 
And  writhen  trees,  sprung  from  the  barren  soil, 
Outstretch  to  heaven  gaunt,  supplicating  hands, 
There  hides  a  grotto  on  the  island  strands 
With  winding  chambers,  worn  by  ocean's  toil, 
Lighted  by  taper-flare  of  fragrant  oil, 
In  whose  umbrageous  depths  an  idol  stands. 

Bestride  a  dragon  belching  fiery  breath 

In  wreathed  incense  on  the  humid  air, 

Benten  immortal,  shrined  mid  wind  and  rain, 

Goddess  of  Love,  lurks  in  her  loathly  lair, 

Lady  of  sorrow  and  eternal  pain, 

Sleek  serpent-goddess  with  the  kiss  of  death. 

Riding  homeward  Yamato  and  his  Princess  took 
their  way  along  the  shore,  the  fateful  isle  of  Enoshima 
glimmering  dimly  through  distant  mists. 

Again  rang  the  siren's  song  in  the  ears  of  Yamato 
and  his  former  madness  fell  over  him. 

"Ride  home,"  he  commanded  Tacibana;  "hide  thy 
'  visage  until  thy  flame-singed  tresses  have  grown  anew, 
and  thy  scorched  skin  hath  regained  its  satin  lustre, 
for  verily  thou  art  hideous  in  my  sight." 

A  teardrop  glistened  in  the  eyes  of  the  devoted 
Princess,  as  she  meekly  did  her  husband's  bidding, 


The  Labours  of  Yamato  49 

singing  to  her  sad  heart  the  whiles  a  song  of  Hope,  on 
this  wise: 

If  'tis  for  long  this  love  will  last" 
I  neither  know  nor  care. 
One  morn  I'll  hold  him  tangled  fast, 
Within  my  lustrous  hair.  * 

Yamato  plunged  through  the  foam-flowered  surges 
and  swam  to  the  emerald  grotto  of  Benten. 

Treading  upon  the  threshold,  his  foot  sank  in  the 
folds  of  a  noisome  dragon;  but  he  slashed  it  with  the 
Sacred  Sword,  and,  bellowing  with  pain,  the  monster 
glided  away. 

Hearing  the  uproar  Benten  cried  in  alarm: 

"Vain,  presumptuous  youth,  anger  not  my  faithful 
guardian,  else  will  he  slay  thee!" 

"Nay,"  replied  Yamato,  sheathing  the  blade,  "this 
is  the  Sacred  Sword,  against  which  neither  beast  nor 
man,  nor  e'en  the  immortal  gods  may  prevail." 

Then  was  the  siren  glad,  for  the  dragon  who  guarded 
her  cave  was  none  other  than  her  father,  the  evil  god, 
Susa-no-wo,  who  having  striven  in  vain  to  possess 
himself  of  the  sword  by  force,  had  bidden  his  daughter 
lure  it  from  Yamato  through  guile  and  treachery. 

When  Yamato  lamented  that  he  had  not  gained  the 
Golden  Apple  the  siren  reproached  him  but  lightly; 
and  summoning  her  beauteous  handmaidens,  spread 

1  After  Lady  Horikawa. 

4 


50  Old  Japan 

before  him  a  sumptuous  banquet,  mingling  in  his  sake 
a  sleep-compelling  potion,  the  whiles  she  discoursed 
drowsy  lullabies  upon  her  golden  lute. 

Heavily  slumbered  Yamato,  but  awaking  ere  dawn, 
he  groped  for  the  form  of  Benten  and  discerning  her 
not,  called: 

"Where  art  thou,  Beloved?"  But  none  gave 
answer. 

Then  a  peal  of  mocking  laughter  rang  out,  and, 
springing  from  his  couch,  Yamato  perceived  by  the 
silvery  morning  twilight  that  he  was  indeed  alone. 
Though  he  searched  through  every  cranny  of  the 
cavern  he  found  not  the  siren,  when  suddenly,  to  his 
great  dismay,  he  realized  that  the  Sacred  Sword  had 
also  disappeared. 

Swiftly  swam  he  to  the  shore  and  distraught  wan- 
dered for  hours  through  the  forest  bewailing  his  folly 
and  the  treachery  of  woman. 

While  treading  through  the  crimson  leaves 

Far  up  the  mountainside, 
I  hear  the  stag's  faint  plaintive  call 

Upon  the  autumn  tide, 
Sad  as  the  wind-blown  leaves  that  fall 

Swift  scattered  far  and  wide. 

SAMNARU. 

Fain  would  he  have  returned  to  his  faithful  Princess 
but  in  the  labyrinthine  forest  he  lost  the  trail.  The 
white  cone  of  Fujiyama  loomed  ghostlike  through  the 


The  Labours  of  Yamato  51 

distant  mists,  and  thither,  weary  and  sorrowful,  he  bent 
his  lonely  way,  beseeching  Kwannon,  the  Merciful,  to 
aid  him  in  his  sore  distress. 


The  Vision  of  Yamato 

Then  to  his  mazed  eyes  appeared  a  star, 
Shaming  the  summer  moon's  ethereal  light. 

Above  the  crest  of  Fujiyama,  far, 
Shimmered  a  vision  Paradisal  bright! 

Gleaming  mid  fleecy  cloud,  a  damsel  fair, 

Robed  in  vague  vestments  of  translucent  white, 

Showering  bright  blossoms  on  the  azure  air, 
Hovered  upon  the  ebon  sea  of  Night! 

Yamato  fell  upon  his  knees  and  prayed, 
Scarce  drawing  breath,  so  utter  his  dismay. 

Beseemed  she  was  no  merely  mortal  maid, 
This  queen  celestial  gleaming  like  the  day. 

"0  Goddess,"  thus  he  spake,  "whoe'er  thou  art, 
Throned  in  the  highest  heaven  o'er  gods  and  men, 

Strengthen  mine  arm,  embolden  thou  mine  heart, 
That  I  may  gain  the  Sacred  Sword  again." 

Then  him  the  angel  answered:  "Lo 

Yamato-take,  heaven-descended  lord, 
Fear  not,  nor  rend  thine  heart  with  utter  woe, 

Deliverance  I  bring.     The  Sacred  Sword 
Thou  soon  shalt  find  hard  by  a  mountain  mere, 

Upon  the  antlers  of  a  Magic  Deer! 
Haste  then  the  stag  to  slay,  ere  it  shall  bear 

The  precious  blade  to  Susano  for  e'er." 


52  Old  Japan 

Thus  spake  the  Goddess;  then  upon  the  night, 
Mid  dulcet  strains  of  lute  and  psaltery, 

Like  fleeting  dew  before  morn's  radiant  light, 
Melted  to  mist  and  vanished  utterly! 

KOYOSHI. 


Then  Yamato  knew  that  the  damsel  he  beheld  in 
the  vision  was  none  other  than  the  celestial  Kwannon, 
Goddess  of  Mercy  and  Love,  and  obedient  to  her 
command  scoured  moor  and  mountain  in  quest  of 
the  magic  stag. 

"Had  I  but  my  trusty  javelin,"  he  spake  within 
himself;  "but  naked-handed  and  weaponless  how  may 
I  slay  the  demon  deer?  Nathless  will  I  strive  mine 
utmost." 

Of  a  sudden  before  his  amazed  eyes  there  shot  up 
from  the  earth  a  mighty  bamboo-stalk,  tall  and  slender 
but  exceeding  strong.  Yamato  clove  the  shaft  and, 
binding  therein  a  pointed  flint,  fashioned  a  goodly 
lance. 

Scarce  had  he  finished  when  there  sounded  across 
the  forest  a  far-off  trumpet-peal,  the  belling  of  a 
mighty  stag! 

11 0  for  my  hounds!"  cried  Yamato,  despairingly. 
"Gentle  Kwannon,  dost  thou  mock  my  helplessness? 
Would  that  I  had  the  scent  of  a  dog,  whereby  to  track 
this  stag,  or  four  fleet  legs  wherewith  to  match  its 
flight." 

Yamato  cast  himself  upon  the  earth  in  despair,  and, 


"  Gleaming  mid  fleecy  cloud,  a  damsel  fair' 


"  Robed  in  vague  vestments  of  translucent  white 
Hovered  upon  the  ebon  sea  of  night" 

(Sozu  Eshin) 
Permission  of  Armand  Dayot 


"  But  still  the  cruel  fisher  shook  his  head  " 

"  Dance  first  and  I  thy  wings  will  straight  restore  " 

Prom  "Old- World  Japan,"  by  T.  H.  Robinson 
Permission  of  Macmillan  Co. 


The  Labours  of  Yamato  53 

lying  thus,  he  discerned,  approaching  ever  nearer 
through  the  silent  forest,  a  faint  pattering  as  of  softly 
padded  feet. 

Sudden  there  darted  across  the  moonlit  glade  a  gaunt 
shadow,  like  that  of  a  great,  shaggy  dog.  It  leaped 
lightly  over  his  body,  then  was  lost  in  the  wild-wood. 

Yamato  wondered:  "Can  it  be  that  some  other 
huntsman  is  on  the  scent  of  the  stag?" 

Another  and  another  shadow  slipped  stealthily  by. 

Crouching  behind  a  tree  Yamato  gave  them  free 
way,  as  in  serried  ranks,  a  pack  of  famished  wolves 
trotted  by,  the  slaver  dripping  from  their  long,  lolling 
tongues.  After  them  bounded  Yamato,  crying : ' '  Kwan- 
non  hath  lent  me  her  hounds." 

Through  marsh  and  wilderness,  out  of  the  ferny 
forest,  up  lava-encrusted  slopes,  he  climbed  to  a  point 
of  vantage,  whence  all  the  countryside  could  be  dis- 
cerned. 

Beneath  him  in  a  meadow,  on  the  marge  of  a  placid 
lake,  browsed  a  great  white  deer;  and  behold!  as  in  the 
palace  of  a  daimio  his  precious  blade  lies  on  the  carven 
rack,  thus  amid  its  wide-spreading  antlers  rested  the 
Sacred  Sword! 

Suddenly  the  stag  sniffed  the  air,  stamped  the  earth, 
and  bellowing  lustily,  bounded  toward  the  lake.  Little 
by  little  the  wolves  gained  upon  him  and  their  leader, 
springing  at  his  throat,  was  instantly  transfixed  by 
his  ten-forked  antlers. 


54  Old  Japan 

Into  the  waters  leaped  the  Magic  Stag,  and  the  pack, 
balked  of  their  longed-for  prey,  slunk,  crestfallen  and 
silent,  back  into  the  forest. 

Above  the  glittering  wake  Yamato  discerned  the 
Sacred  Sword,  still  resting  upon  the  antlers  and,  hurling 
his  lance,  plunged  into  the  lake. 

Swimming  with  might  and  main  he  gradually  gained 
upon  the  struggling  stag,  when  the  reddening  tide  told 
him  that  his  spear  had  gone  straight  to  the  mark. 

Seizing  the  Sword,  Yamato  plunged  it  clean  to  the 
hilt  in  the  heart  of  the  Stag. 

Bellowing  lustily,  down  through  unfathomable  depths 
sank  the  dying  demon,  and  Yamato,  the  Sacred  Sword 
between  his  teeth,  swam  joyously  to  shore. 


VI 


THE  DRAGON 

Exulting  in  his  victory  Yamato  descended  the  forest- 
clad  slopes  of  Fujiyama. 

Joyous  at  having  regained  the  Sacred  Sword,  his 
heart  leaped  with  a  greater  happiness.  At  last  he 
realized  that  not  for  love  of  him  but  to  gain  the  Sacred 
Sword  had  Benten  woven  her  guileful  web;  and  his 
heart  yearned  for  the  faithful  Tacibana.  But  first, 
he  told  himself,  he  must  visit  the  sorceress  to  charge 
her  with  treachery  and  theft. 


The  Labours  of  Yamato  55 

He  hastened  to  their  trysting  place,  and,  gazing  into 
the  jade-green  water,  presently  perceived  the  glitter 
of  her  golden  scales. 

Yamato  plunged  headlong  in  pursuit  of  the  fleeing 
siren  and  the  dark  wave  closed  above  him. 

As  a  stone  cast  into  a  bottomless  well  sank  Yamato, 
and  ever,  as  he  descended,  the  sea  crooned  in  his  ears 
a  sweet  yet  sorrowful  slumber-song  bodeful  of  love 
and  death.  Then  was  he  mindful  of  returning  earth- 
ward, but  of  a  sudden  he  felt  himself  enveloped  by 
the  folds  of  a  loathly  serpent,  and  a  chill  struck  to  his 
very  heart. 

The  song  of  the  sea  became  louder  and  more  articu- 
late till  he  recognized  the  voice  of  Benten : 

"I  hold  thee  for  ever,"  sang  the  siren.  "Thrice 
have  I  held  thee,  and  thrice  hast  thou  eluded  my 
grasp.  Henceforth  none  may  wrest  thee  from  me,  save 
a  goddess  whom  thou  shalt  acclaim  more  beautiful, 
whose  love  is  even  greater  than  mine  own." 

Then  dim  and  far,  above  the  endless  leagues  of 
jade-green  water,  Yamato  was  ware  of  the  Prin- 
cess Tacibana  gently  murmuring  his  name.  Through 
the  infinite  depths  he  beheld  her  lovesome  face 
smiling  to  him  from  out  the  dusky  cloud-rifts  of  her 
hair. 

Then  knew  Yamato  that  "the  goddess  more  beautiful 
than  Benten  whose  love  was  greater  than  her  own," 
was  none  other  than  his  faithful  Tacibana. 


56  Old  Japan 

Downward,  like  the  tendrils  of  some  miraculous  vine, 
grew  the  dusky  tresses  of  Tacibana.  They  enveloped 
Yamato  in  a  fragrant  cloud  and  enlaced  him  in  the 
meshes  of  a  silken  net.  Like  strong  encircling  arms 
they  upbore  him,  through  endless  leagues  of  water, 
to  the  sea-swept  isle  of  Enoshima. 

Tacibana,  pitiful  and  wan,  gazed  anxiously  upon 
him.  Her  warm  white  hands  clasped  his  in  fond 
solicitude. 

He  strove  to  speak,  but  a  great  weariness  over- 
came him  and  he  fell  upon  the  breast  of  his  faithful 
Princess. 

When  Yamato  came  to  himself  Tacibana  had  van- 
ished, whither  he  knew  not. 

"She  hath  gone  for  help  and  will  presently  come 
again,"  he  said  within  himself;  but  hours  passed  and 
she  did  not  return. 

Distraught  by  vague  forebodings  Yamato  turned  his 
steps  toward  Kashiwa-bara. 

He  found  the  city  in  a  state  of  utter  panic. 
Their  household  chattels  piled  upon  bullock-carts, 
or  borne  upon  their  bended  backs,  the  terror-stricken 
natives  were  rushing  hither  and  thither  as  though  sur- 
prised by  a  sudden  conflagration . 

Demanding  the  cause  of  their  alarm  Yamato  was 
informed  that  a  terrific  dragon  had  descended  upon 
the  land,  slaying  cattle,  devastating  rice-fields,  and 
overwhelming  the  people  with  pestilence  and  death. 


The  Labours  of  Yamato  57 

When  last  descried  the  monster  was  entering  the 
royal  palace,  whence  lamentable  cries  had  issued  telling 
the  fate  of  its  inhabitants. 

Yamato  hastened  thither.  All  was  silent  and  de- 
serted. From  cellar  to  turret  he  rushed,  calling  fran- 
tically upon  Tacibana,  only  to  find  a  mass  of  mangled 
and  lifeless  bodies.  He  searched  gardens  and  outbuild- 
ings, following  trails  of  blood,  but  nowhere  could  he 
discern  trace  of  his  lost  Princess. 

Of  a  sudden  he  heard  a  sound  as  of  a  priestess  chant- 
ing, and  mounting  a  Pagoda  found  Tacibana  clad  in 
white  vestments  waving  a  wand,  and  chanting  the 
norito. * 

Suddenly  her  voice  was  whelmed  in  a  terrific  up- 
roar. The  Thunder  God  Raiden  beat  furiously  upon 
his  drums ;  great  leaden  clouds  shut  out  the  sky.  Futen, 
the  Wind  God,  unloosed  his  tempests;  while  with  a 
flash  of  forked  lightning,  from  a  rent  in  the  midnight 
sky,  hurtled  Susa-no-wo,  Dragon  of  the  Sea. 

His  head  was  like  a  camel,  his  horns  were  like  a 
stag,  and  his  eyes  were  glowing  coals  of  fire.  Scaled 
like  a  crocodile,  he  brandished  a  tiger's  paws,  armed 
with  the  talons  of  an  eagle. 

Belching  forth  the  steam  of  a  score  of  geysers  and 
rearing  itself  upon  its  terrible  tail,  the  dragon  charged 
at  Yamato. 

1  An  ancient  exorcism  to  protect  the  faithful  from  serpents,  sprites, 
and  goblins. 


58  Old  Japan 

Dexterously  evading  the  onslaught,  he  thrust,  lunged, 
and  slashed,  burying  his  blade  in  the  dragon's  belly, 
but  in  vain,  at  every  stroke  he  was  enwrapped  more 
closely  in  the  great  constricting  coils. 

Thus  the  battle  raged,  the  reptile  answering  each 
stroke  with  an  ever-tightening  grip,  until  it  seemed 
that  the  hero's  strength  would  fail. 

But  Yamato,  gathering  himself  in  one  supreme  effort, 
thrust  his  sword  to  the  hilt  in  the  dragon's  throat. 

With  lightning-like  convolutions  the  monster  strove 
to  wrest  the  blade  from  the  hand  of  his  antagonist, 
then  with  a  thunderous  battering  of  wings  soared  in 
air.  Writhing  in  its  death-throes  it  hovered  a  moment, 
then  fell  crashing  to  earth. 

Yamato  heard  afar  the  voice  of  Tacibana  chanting: 

"Henceforth  shall  all  evil  and  calamity  through 
writhing  reptiles  for  ever  disappear,  as  the  wind  of 
morning  blows  away  night's  chill-enfolding  mist. 
As  ships  sailing  from  the  harbour  so  shall  these  evil 
spirits  be  borne  to  the  Sea  Plain,  then  swept  through 
the  Whirlpool  Gate  to  Yomi,  that  the  earth  be  rid  of 
them  for  ever." 

Yamato  lifted  his  weary  lids  to  behold  the  wondrous 
smile  of  Tacibana . 

"My  divine  Lord,"  she  murmured,  "thouhast  de- 
livered me  for  ever  from  Susa-no-wo." 

"Henceforth,  my  Beloved,"  replied  Yamato,  "naught 
may  part  us.  No  longer  shall  our  arch-enemy  defile 


The  Labours  of  Yamato  59 

the  land.    Hereafter  hath  he  power  alone  over  the  sea." 

Full  long  and  joyously  lived  Yamato  with  his  ever- 
loving  wife. 

One  day,  in  the  month  of  the  watery  moon,  he  fared 
forth  upon  a  foray  against  the  tempestuous  Ainos. 

Loth  to  hazard  the  toilsome  mountain  passes,  he 
chose  rather  to  embark  his  army  upon  the  sea. 

Princess  Tacibana,  in  sore  distress  that  her  lord  was 
in  no  mind  to  renounce  this  venture,  implored  to  be 
permitted  to  accompany  him. 

Laughing  away  her  fears,  Yamato  consented: 

"'Tis  my  last  fight,"  he  declared.  "Henceforth 
will  we  spend  our  days  in  never-ending  peace." 

When  they  had  journeyed  to  the  wave-washed  shores 
of  Idzu,  Yamato  exclaimed  exultingly: 

"Why  should  I  fear  to  encounter  Susa-no-wo  upon 
the  sea,  since  I  have  already  conquered  him  on  land?" 

Whereupon  the  Sea  God,  angered  at  the  defiant 
words  of  Yamato,  raised  a  mighty  tempest.  The  rains 
descended  and  the  winds  blew  and  beat  upon  the 
ship.  Thunderbolts  crashed  about  them  and  lightning 
blinded  their  eyes.  Great  billows  swept  the  decks, 
sails  were  rent  in  ribbons,  and  masts  were  split  in 
twain. 

Out  of  the  depths  he  heard  a  siren  singing: 

"Reckless  Yamato,  thou  hast  adventured  upon  my 
ever-verdant  Sea  Plain  and  defied  my  father,  the  God  of 


60  Old  Japan 

Ocean.  Therefore  shalt  thou  perish,  else  another  vic- 
tim be  granted  me. " 

In  the  seething  emerald  waters  Tacibana  beheld  a 
mermaid  stretching  out  moon-blanched  arms. 

Forgetting  his  former  infidelity  she  resolved  to  sacri- 
fice herself  in  the  place  of  her  beloved  lord. 

"Take  me,  Benten,  to  thy  watery  kingdom, "  cried  the 
Princess,  then  plunged  into  the  foam-flowered  waves. 

Of  a  sudden  the  tempest  abated,  the  sea  was  calmed, 
and  a  snow-white  heron  soared  upward  to  the  sun. 

"With  thee  let  me  live  or  perish!"  cried  Yamato, 
leaping  into  the  jade-green  sea. 

Long  he  battled  beneath  the  wave,  groping  through 
the  depths  for  his  faithful  Princess.  At  last  he  rose  bear- 
ing in  his  arms  a  white  and  lifeless  burden.  The  snow- 
white  spirit  of  Tacibana  had  soared  to  the  Eternal  Land. 

"Alas,  my  beloved  wife!"  sobbed  Yamato,  "may  the 
foam-flowers  bloom  for  ever  on  thy  grave!"1 

The  Autumn  flames  with  ruddy,  golden  light 
The  verdant  leaves,  ere  sere  and  dead  they  flee, 

But  ever  pure  and  fair,  like  blossoms  white, 
The  foam-flowers  bloom  upon  the  deathless  sea. 

YASUHIDE. 

BEREAVEMENT 

Her  face  displayed  the  flush  of  autumn  day, 
Lissome  her  form  as  stem  of  frail  bamboo, 

1  From  the  lament  of  Yamato,  the  eastern  province  'of  Japan  is 
still  known  as  Azuma,  "Alas!    My  beloved  wife." 


The  Labours  of  Yamato  61 

Unfathomable  her  eyes  as  ocean  blue. 

For  her  we  hoped  a  life  as  long  and  gay 

And  flowery-full  as  the  sweet  month  of  May, 

Not  evanescent  like  the  morning  dew, 

Or  eve's  light  veil  that  vanisheth  anew 

With  morrow's  wind,  blown  whither  none  may  say. 

If  we,  who  glimpsed  but  momently  her  charm, 
So  moved  are,  how  must  he  be  forlorn 
Who  pillowed  once  his  head  on  her  white  arm, 
Now  desolate  indeed  as  lone  he  lies, 
Sundered  so  swiftly  from  her  loving  eyes, 
Like  fleeting  mists  of  eve  and  dew  of  morn ! 

HlTAMARO. 


CHAPTER  III 

MYTHS  OF  THE  FLOWERY  ISLES 

I 
THE  FAERY  ROBE 

"Tis  dawn  on  lone  Suruga's  pine-clad  land 
And,  save  the  lap  of  wavelets  on  the  strand, 
All  silence  is,  and,  redolent  of  spring, 
The  pendant  branches  'neath  the  zephyrs  sway, 
And  cloud  of  fragrant  bloom  endues  the  day 
With  weft  of  snowy  flakes  on  filmy  wing. 

(A  lone  fisherman  speaks:) 

"But  hark!  methought  I  heard  a  far-off  roar 
Of  rushing  waters,  midst  the  wailing  pine. 
Ethereal  strains  of  melodies  divine 
Float  to  mine  ear  along  the  foam-fringed  shore. 

"But  nay!  no  tempest  frets  the  slumbrous  seas, 
Nor  mars  the  cradle-song  the  waters  sing. 
'Tis  but  the  gentle  voice  of  Mother  Spring 
That  softly  croons  within  the  vibrant  trees. " 

Then  from  the  crest  of  Fujiyama  grand, 
Fluttered  to  earth  a  cloudlet  fleecy-fair, 
62 


Myths  of  the  Flowery  Isles  63 

Hovered  a  moment  o'er  the  pine-clad  strand, 
Then  melted  in  the  silent  azure  air. 


'Tired  in  a  stainless  robe  of  feathers  white, 
A  fairy  stood  beside  the  smiling  sea, 
Touching  a  dulcimer  with  fingers  light, 
The  while  she  chanted  most  enchantingly. 

Then  laughingly  laid  down  her  idle  lute, 
Hung  her  bright  robe  upon  a  branch  of  pine, 
And,  while  the  fisher  gazed  with  wonder  mute, 
Plunged  like  a  mermaid  in  the  silvery  brine. 

The  fisher  spied  the  robe  upon  the  tree, 
Light  as  the  plumes  of  some  celestial  dove. 
"A  garment  of  the  gods!"  he  laughed  in  glee, 
"Twill  bring  me  fortune,  happiness  and  love." 

Then  from  the  ocean  swift  the  fairy  came 
And  thus  the  fisher-lad  she  did  implore : 
"Pray,  give  me  back  my  robe  of  winged  flame, 
Or  ne'er  again  may  I  to  cloudland  soar. " 

Whereat  the  crafty  fisher  made  reply: 

"Nay,  that  I  will  not,  else,  before  you  fly, 

You  trip  for  me  upon  the  grassy  ground 

The  dance  that  makes  the  very  Moon  go  round. " 

"First  give  me  back  my  robe,  and  I  will  tread 
That  mystic  measure  of  the  days  of  yore. " 
But  still  the -cruel  fisher  shook  his  head, 
"  Dance  first  and  I  thy  wings  will  straight  restore. 


64  Old  Japan 

"Fie  on  thee,  evil  man!"  exclaimed  the  fay, 
"To  doubt  the  promise  of  a  heavenly  sprite. 
I  cannot  dance  reft  of  my  plumage  bright. 
Dear  Fisher,  give  it  back  to  me  I  pray!" 

Then,  moved  by  pity,  love,  and  sudden  shame, 
The  fisher  plucked  the  plumage  from  the  tree, 
And  gave  unto  the  maid  her  robe  of  flame — 
"Now  take  thy  pinions,  Fairy,  and  be  free!" 

And  now  the  fairy  dons  her  rainbow  wings; 
Touching  again  her  lute  with  fingers  light, 
A  merry  madrigal  she  blithely  sings 
And  trips  a  measure  frolicsome  and  bright. 

The  fair  celestial  dance  that  moved  to  mirth 
The  myriad  gods  by  sweet  Uzume's  wile, 
And  lured  their  glorious  goddess  back  to  earth, 
Fore'er  to  greet  us  with  her  wondrous  smile. 

The  fisher  gazed  with  love-entranced  eyes, 
Ravished  with  untold  wonder  and  delight. 
Beseemed  a  blossom  born  of  Paradise 
Was  this  frail  fay,  too  fair  for  mortal  sight. 

Waving  her  rainbow  raiment  to  the  breeze, 
She  skims  the  surface  of  the  slumbrous  seas, 
Then  flutters  from  the  maz£d  fisher's  sight 
Into  the  realms  of  air,  with  laughter  light. 

On  pinions  swift  she  circles,  swoops,  and  veers, 
Cloud-soaring  to  the  sun,  till  suddenly, 
O'er  Fujiyama's  crest,  she  disappears, 
Whence  erst  she  came  into  the  azure  sky. 


Emperor  Chiuai  reclined  in  his  summer  pavilion,  gazing  over  the 
jade-green  sea" 

(Hokusai) 


Benten,  the  Dragon's  Daughter 

(Hokusai) 


Myths  of  the  Flowery  Isles  65 

Again  on  lone  Suruga's  pine-clad  land 
All  silence  is,  upon  the  slumbrous  seas, 
Save  lap  of  wavelets  on  the  silver  strand 
And  moan  of  voices  in  the  vibrant  trees. 

(Ancient  "No  Drama.") 


66  Old  Japan 

II 

THE  JEWEL  OF  HEART'S  DESIRE 

I.    The  Land  of  Morning  Calm 

Emperor  Chiuai  reclined  in  his  summer  pavilion, 
gazing  over  the  jade-green  sea. 

His  slender  fingers  drew  from  a  silver  lute  strains  of 
heart-rending  melody.  In  all  the  world  he  knew  but 
two  delights,  the  art  of  music  and  his  high-hearted 
bride. 

The  Empress  was  an  adept  in  manly  sports,  a  fearless 
Amazon,  a  hardy  huntress,  and  the  clash  of  arms  was 
as  music  in  her  ears. 

Roundly  she  rated  her  spiritless  spouse : 

"Art  thou  indeed  the  son  of  valiant  Yamato?"  she 
scoffed  contemptuously. 

"Verily,"  rejoined  the  Emperor  placidly,  "for  that 
my  father  hath  subdued  the  country  there  remaineth 
for  me  naught  but  my  queen,  my  kingdom,  and  my 
lute." 

The  brow  of  the  Empress  clouded : 

"Unworthy  son  of  a  glorious  sire,  I  would  have  thee 
bear  the  sword  of  Yamato  beyond  the  sea.  In  a  dream 
the  Sun  Goddess  came  to  me,  saying :  '  Westward  lieth 
the  Land  of  Morning  Calm  wherein  is  hidden  the 
Crystal  of  Heart's  Desire;  that  jewel  I  now  bestow 
upon  thee.'" 


Myths  of  the  Flowery  Isles  67 

"Put  not  thy  trust  in  dreams, "  admonished  the  Em- 
peror, pointing  toward  the  sea.  "Look!  Seest  thou 
aught  save  the  great  water?  Even  those  who  ascend 
to  the  mountain-tops  discern  no  more.  Think  not  to 
wield  the  sword,  but  content  thyself  with  the  distaff 
and  needle.  There  is  no  land  beyond  the  Western 
Sea!" 

Of  a  sudden  a  blinding  light  flooded  the  chamber  and, 
with  a  rustling  of  wings,  Amaterasu  descended,  terrible 
in  her  anger. 

"Faithless  craven!"  she  flashed,  "for  that  thou 
doubtest  my  celestial  prophecy  thy  Queen  shall  sub- 
due this  land,  and  thou  shalt  die!" 

The  Emperor  went  white;  his  eyeballs  rolled  in 
their  sockets. 

"My  Heavenly  Sovereign,"  besought  the  Empress, 
"in  pity  look  upon  thy  wife!" 

Lifting  his  trembling  fingers  she  placed  them  upon 
the  lute. 

"August  Lord,"  she  pleaded,  "be  pleased  to  wake 
again  thy  silvery  strains. " 

"Let  us  set  sail,  set  sail  to  the  Land  of  Morning 
Calm, "  he  sang  softly. 

Slowly  his  lips  froze  to  immobility.  The  lute  fell 
from  his  nerveless  fingers,  the  music  lingering  still  upon 
the  vibrant  strings. 

Seizing  a  taper  from  the  shrine,  the  Empress  trem- 
blingly held  it  before  His  lips.  But  the  flame  did  not 


68  Old  Japan 

flicker.    The  gentle  monarch  had  passed  to  the  Land 
of  Morning  Calm. 

Now  it  was  the  custom  in  Yamato  that  no  woman 
might  rule  save  in  the  name  of  her  consort.  Therefore 
the  Prime  Minister,  Takeuchi,  adroitly  concealed  the 
death  of  his  sovereign,  asserting  that  he  had  delegated 
to  the  Empress  the  command  of  the  expedition  to  the 
Western  Land. 

To  this  end  he  assembled  munitions  and  builded  a 
goodly  fleet. 

Empress  Jingu,  erstwhile  so  belligerent,  timorously 
besought  an  omen  of  the  gods: 

"My  departed  lord  was  pleased  to  commend  to  me 
the  distaff  and  needle.  Vouchsafe  a  sign,  gracious  Sun 
Goddess.  Grant  that  with  a  fragile  thread  I  may 
draw  to  land  a  great  fish. " 

Ravelling  from  her  obi  a  silken  thread  and  bending 
her  needle  into  a  hook,  she  baited  it  with  a  cherry  bloom 
and  cast  it  into  the  sea.  Scarce  had  the  blossom  sunk 
when  the  waters  boiled  in  sudden  fury  and,  with  terrific 
lashing  of  its  mighty  tail,  she  drew  to  land  a  monstrous 
shark.  Wherefore  the  spot  is  called  to  this  day  Mat- 
sura,  the  Wonderful. 

Again  the  doubting  Empress  implored: 

"Wide-shining  Amaterasu,  goddess  of  Ever-Glorious- 
Light!  if  I  am  destined  to  subdue  the  Land  of  Morn- 
ing Calm  vouchsafe,  I  pray,  another  omen.  By  thy 


Myths  of  the  Flowery  Isles  69 

miraculous  might,  arm  thou  my  body  for  this  enter- 
prise." 

Thus  beseeching  she  plunged  into  the  deep.  Slowly 
the  fateful  moments  lagged  while  the  throng  waited 
with  bated  breath. 

Meanwhile,  beneath  the  billows,  unseen  tire-maidens 
ministered  unto  the  mazed  woman.  Uncoiling  her 
jewelled  headdress,  they  knotted  her  hair  in  manly 
guise.  On  her  head  they  placed  a  dragon-crested  hel- 
met and  upon  her  bosom  a  breastplate  of  golden-lac- 
quered steel ;  in  her  hand  a  spear  of  eight  arms  length, 
and  girded  round  her  waist,  the  Sacred  Sword. 

A  mighty  shout  greeted  the  Empress  as  she  emerged 
from  the  sea  transformed  into  a  gleaming  warrior. 

"Sons  of  Yamato, "  she  cried  triumphantly,  "behold 
the  sign!  The  Sun  Goddess  hath  armed  me  for 
victory!" 

Whereat  their  hearts  were  filled  with  joy  and,  gather- 
ing the  fleet,  they  embarked  upon  the  unknown  ad- 
venture. 

Escorting  them  upon  their  way  all  manner  of  sea- 
monsters  issued  from  the  depths.  Tritons  blew  favour- 
able winds,  mermaids  pushed  the  sterns,  and  sea-dragons 
seized  the  cables,  flying  onward  until  the  prows  leaped 
through  the  foam-flowered  waves. 

Sailing  by  the  pavilion  of  the  Emperor,  they  heard 
his  voice  still  singing : 

"Sail  on  Beloved,  to  the  Land  of  Morning  Calm!" 


70  Old  Japan 

After  days  of  fruitless  questing  at  last  they  sighted 
land.  Lofty  mountains  and  emerald  plains  loomed 
through  the  sapphire  haze.  Rounding  a  rugged  prom- 
ontory they  entered  a  tranquil  bay,  in  whose  shelter 
nestled  a  white- walled  city;  but  a  massive  chain  was 
stretched  across  its  goodly  harbour,  forbidding  entrance. 

Standing  at  the  prow  of  the  foremost  galley,  the  Em- 
press held  aloft  the  Tide-flowing  Jewel  of  Prince  Fire- 
Fade. 

Suddenly  the  waters  gathered  in  a  mighty  tidal-wave 
which  swept  over  the  flooded  city  and  bore  the  fleet  to 
the  very  temple  gate. 

Deeming  this  prodigy  the  fulfilment  of  an  ancient 
prophecy, 1  the  panic-stricken  King  came  forth  waving  a 
white  banner  and  knelt  before  the  Empress  in  token  of 
subjection. 

Far  into  the  interior,  inundating  plains,  villages,  and 
cities,  swept  the  tidal  wave. 

Believing  that  their  country  was  being  swallowed  by 
the  ocean,  the  Koreans  swore: 

"Until  pines  of  the  mountains  descend  in  long  pro- 
cession, and  stars  of  heaven  rain  upon  the  sea,  so  long 
shall  we  remain  thy  loyal  subjects."2 

1  Of  old  an  oracle  had  foretold:  "When  ships  shall  walk  upon  the 
dry  land  and  a  woman  lead  an  army  into  the  temple  then  shall 
Korea  fall." 

a  This  prophecy  was  recalled  during  the  Russo-Japanese  war,  when  the 
Russians  set  up  in  the  valley  of  the  Yalu  telegraph  poles,  cut  from 
mountain  pines,  and  their  rockets  showered  the  sea  with  falling  stars. 


Myths  of  the  Flowery  Isles  71 

2.  The  Quest  of  the  Jewel 

In  token  of  their  submission  the  Koreans  presented 
the  Empress  with  the  Jewel  of  Heart's  Desire,  a  won- 
drous crystal  ball  flawless  in  contour  and  of  such 
exquisite  limpidity  that  its  presence  could  be  discerned 
by  touch  alone. 

In  time  of  peril  it  emitted  fires  like  the  lightning  bolt; 
in  peace  a  radiance  as  the  moon,  conferring  upon  its 
possessor  his  heart's  desire. 

The  Empress  entrusted  the  crystal  to  Takeuchi,  who 
hung  it  at  the  masthead,  that  its  kindly  rays  might 
guide  the  helmsman  on  their  homeward  course. 

Scarce  had  the  army  set  forth  upon  its  voyage 
when  the  jewel  flashed  its  warning  flame,  as  Futen,  the 
Wind  God,  unloosed  a  great  typhoon  and  darkness  cov- 
ered the  face  of  the  deep. 

Now  Benten,  the  dragon's  daughter,  longed  with 
keen  desire  to  possess  the  crystal  ball.  Mounting  to 
the  masthead,  she  tore  the  jewel  from  its  fastenings 
and  bore  it  to  the  depths  of  the  sea. 

Terrible  was  the  wrath  of  the  Empress  at  the  loss  of 
the  precious  treasure.  Angrily  she  commanded  that 
the  Prime  Minister  be  denied  audience  until  he  should 
restore  the  lost  talisman. 

The  journey  ended,  ruined  and  disgraced,  Takeuchi 
retired  from  court.  Resolved  on  self-destruction,  he 
climbed  one  night  to  the  summit  of  a  cliff. 


72  Old  Japan 

A  fisher-maid,  the  gentle  Tamatori,  followed  him  un- 
seen as  he  wandered  thus,  deeming  himself  alone.  Long 
and  silently  had  she  loved  the  great  minister,  locking 
the  secret  in  her  woeful  heart  for  well  she  knew  that 
only  a  princess  might  hope  to  wed  the  famous  daimio. 

Marking  his  distraught  mien,  her  loving  heart  boded 
his  fatal  purpose : 

"Stay,  my  Lord,"  she  screamed  as  he  ungirded  his 
swords,  "relinquish  thy  resolve,  I  beseech  thee." 

In  vain  he  strove  to  unlock  her  clinging  arms.  "Let 
me  die,"  he  commanded,  "I  am  disgraced."  Then  he 
told  her  of  the  lost  crystal  and  the  wrath  of  the  Empress. 

"Behold!"  she  cried,  "yonder  gleams  a  wondrous 
light.  Can  it  be  that  some  great  star  hath  fallen  into 
the  sea?" 

Thunderstruck  Takeuchi  gazed  into  the  darkling 
water. 

In  its  unfathomable  depths  loomed  a  coral  pagoda 
of  an  hundred  stories,  and,  upon  its  topmost  pinnacle, 
like  a  lustrous  star,  glittered  the  Jewel  of  Heart's 
Desire! 

"  'Tis  the  palace  of  Benten"  he  exclaimed  wonderingly. 

"Be  of  good  cheer, "  laughed  the  fisher-maid.  "  Like 
a  fish  can  I  dive;  wait  thou  here.  I  shall  attain  my 
heart's  desire  for  I  shall  give  thee  thine!" 

Girding  on  his  swords  she  leaped  into  the  sea.  Down 
through  the  emerald  water  she  plunged,  until  she  reached 
the  spire  where  gleamed  the  wonder-jewel 


73 

Strange,  loathly  fish  leered  at  her  with  great  round 
eyes,  as  she  seized  the  magic  crystal. 

Then  suddenly  the  waters  were  lashed  into  furious 
commotion  and  the  vile  sea-dragon  crawled  from  his 
hidden  lair.  On  every  side  sea-monsters  hurried  to  his 
call:  sharks  opened  their  terrible  jaws,  swordfish 
darted  at  her,  cuttlefish  blinded  her  eyes  with  their 
inky  spittle,  and  devilfish  entangled  her  limbs  with 
clinging  tentacles;  while  the  dragon  stood  apart  and 
smiled  upon  her  with  his  evil  smile. 

Then  Tamatori  feared  that  her  hour  had  come. 
Knowing  that  a  dragon  will  not  touch  a  corpse,  she 
plunged  her  sword  into  her  bosom  and  thrust  the  jewel 
within  the  gaping  wound. 

Impotent  with  wrath  the  foiled  monster  slunk  slowly 
away  and  the  waters  were  calmed. 

Long  and  anxiously  had  Takeuchi  waited;  and  bitter 
was  his  remorse  when  the  lifeless  form  of  the  maiden 
drifted  to  his  feet.  Her  cold  hands,  crossed  upon  her 
breast,  still  guarded  the  coveted  treasure,  and  the  smile 
upon  her  pallid  face  was  wondrous  to  behold. 

Takeuchi  caused  her  to  be  placed  upon  a  lordly  cata- 
falque and  conveyed  with  all  honour  to  the  capital. 

The  fame  of  her  noble  deed  outran  the  cortege. 
From  every  village  came  maidens  bearing  garlands; 
from  the  temples  priests  with  incense,  from  the  citadel 
samurai  with  drums  and  dirges,  even  as  they  would 
have  honoured  a  general  after  a  great  victory. 


74  Old  Japan 

As  they  passed  through  the  city  gates  crowds  swarmed 
about  her  in  wonder.  From  the  palace  floated  mystic 
strains  of  the  Emperor's  lute. 

The  Empress  knelt  at  the  fisher-maiden's  bier. 
Reverently  she  placed  within  the  maiden's  lifeless  hand 
a  patent  of  nobility,  creating  her,  all  too  late,  Princess 
of  Heart's  Desire. 

Overjoyed  at  the  recovery  of  the  crystal  she  elevated 
to  the  regency  her  devoted  minister. 

If  it  is  true,  as  some  contend,  that  they  were  secretly 
wedded,  the  ancient  chronicles  are  discreetly  silent  as  to 
this  episode  in  the  career  of  their  militant  Empress. 

Ill 

URASHIMA 

On  a  dreamy  day  in  springtime  I  sailed  forth  to  Suminoye, 
O'er  the  hills  of  jade-green  water  to  the  strand  of  beaten 

gold; 
And  as  there  I  lingered,  musing  on  its  ancient  vanished 

glory, 
I  bethought  me  of  the  story  by  the  hearthstone  often 

told, 
How  the  fisher  Urashima,  the  bonito  ever  questing, 

O'er  the  hills  of  jade-green  water  past  the  bounds  of  sea 

did  roam, 
And  for  seven  long  suns  together,  oaring  onward,  never 

resting, 
Came  not  back  to  Suminoye,  nor  returned  unto  his  home. 


Myths  of  the  Flowery  Isles  75 

After  long  and  fruitless  questing,  Urashima,  melancholy, 
Drew,   from  out  the  jade-green  water,  a  great  tortoise 

suddenly ! 
But  the  tortoise  is  a  symbol  of  long  life,  you  know,  and 

holy, 
So  he  spared  the  sacred  creature  and  returned  it  to  the  sea. 

Fanned   by   zephyrs,   lulled   by  wavelets,    Urashima  fell 

a-dreaming, 

When  to  him  there  came  a  vision  of  a  maid  surpassing  fair, 
Came  the  daughter  of  the  dragon,  on  his  face  her  radiance 

beaming, 
With  the  glory  of  the  sunset  in  the  halo  of  her  hair. 

"  Urashima,  Urashima, "  whispered  low  the  dragon's  daugh- 
ter, 
"For  that  thou  didst  spare  the  tortoise,  little  deeming  it 

was  I, 

Come  thou  with  me  to  my  castle  down  beneath  the  jade- 
green  water, 

With  thy  flower-wife,  Otohime,  e'er  to  live  and  ne'er  to 
die!" 

Then  in  joy  laughed  Urashima  and  his  heart  leapt  with 

elation, 

For  ne'er  before  had  he  beheld  a  maid  so  wondrous  fair; 
And  right  willingly  he  yielded  to  her  winsome  invitation, 

So  the  daughter  of  the  dragon  led  him  to  her  elfin  lair, 
To  the  palace  of  the  dragon,  where  the  nixies  guard  his 

treasures, 

In  the  land  of  ceaseless  sunshine  down  beneath  the  jade- 
green  sea, 
Where  they  dwelt  for  generations  in  a  round  of  endless 

pleasures, 
Never  ageing,  never  dying,  ever  young  and  ever  free. 


76  Old  Japan 

And  he  might  have  dwelt  for  ever,  with  his  flower-wife 

enamoured, 
Had  not  longing  stirred  within  him  home  and  kin  once 

more  to  see. 
"I  would  fain  go  to  my  father,  to  my  mother,"  thus  he 

stammered, 

"After  one  fond  look  upon  them,  I  will  come  again  to 
thee." 

Thus  he  spake,  and,  sorely  troubled,  Otohime  answered  sadly, 
"  If  unto  the  Land  Immortal  to  return  thou  e'er  wouldst 
hope, 

Here  again  to  live  forever,  I  thy  wish  do  grant  thee  gladly. 
Take  this  talismanic  casket,  but  beware  its  lid  to  ope!" 

Strongly  did  che  thus  enjoin  him,  loudly  swore  he  to  obey, 
And  at  dawn  they  fondly  parted  and  he  journeyed  on  his 

way; 

On  his  way  to  Suminoye,  oared  he  on  the  ocean  old 
O'er  the  hills  of  jade-green  water  to  the  strand  of  beaten  gold. 

But  when  once  he  reached  the  harbour  where  his  home  was 

wont  to  be, 

Naught  he  saw  of  Suminoye,  not  a  hut  did  he  behold; 
Though  he  sought  from  dawn  to  sunset  not  a  vestige  could 

he  see, 

Naught  but  hills  of  jade-green  water  and  the  strand  of 
beaten  gold! 

Then  his  heart  was  rife  with  wonder  and  in  anguish  he  did 

wail: 
"In  the  space  of  three  short  summers  since  I  left  my 

village  here, 
Can  it  utterly  have  vanished,  leaving  naught  to  tell  the 

tale? 
Were  I  now  to  ope  the  casket,  would  it  not  again  appear  ? " 


Myths  of  the  Flowery  Isles  77 

And  forgetting,  reckless  fellow,  every  caution,  in  dismay 
Loosed  he  then  the  silken  cordage  that  the  magic  casket 

bound, 

Whereupon  a  fleecy  cloudlet  issued  forth  into  the  day, 
Talisman  of  life  eternal  mounting  heavenward  from  the 
ground! 

Urashima  ran  and  shouted,  waving  wild  his  sleeves  in  air, 

Of  a  sudden  then  he  tottered  and  fell  writhing  to  the  earth, 

Withered,  wrinkled,  old,  enfeebled,  spent  of  breath  and 

white  of  hair ! 
He,  who  erst  had  been  so  youthful,  comely,  strong,  and 

full  of  mirth, 

Now  from  life  fore'er  departed  on  the  strand  of  beaten  gold, 
By  the  hills  of  jade-green  water  where  stood  Suminoye  old. 


CHAPTER  IV 

THE  LOTUS  LIFE 

"If  thou  hast  Buddha's  sacred  fire, 
Then  art  thou  like  the  Lotus  white, 
Springing  in  pureness  from  the  mire!" 

FOREWORD 

TN  joyous  gratitude  to  my  master  the  august  Prince 
1  Umayado  (known  to  posterity  as  Shotoku  Taishi, 
the  Saintly  Prince),  do  I,  the  humble  bonze  Fu,  of  the 
Temple  of  Horiuji,  dedicate  my  paltry  chronicle. 

What  time  my  lord  was  regent  of  the  Empire,  ruling 
wisely  and  faithfully  for  his  aunt,  the  aged  Empress 
Suiko,  I,  a  samurai  in  his  service,  shared  his  martial 
adventures  and  the  brilliant  life  of  courts.  Now,  alas, 
am  I  but  a  lonely  priest,  doomed  to  expiate  my  countless 
sins  of  former  existences  by  mumbling  interminable 
orisons  to  the  accompaniment  of  a  brazen  gong. 

In  moments  snatched  from  my  devotional  duties 
have  I  compiled  these  memories  of  manifold  misfortunes 
now  sweet  to  the  taste  as  cooling  sake  upon  the  parched 
lips  of  age. 

78 


"  On  an  exceeding  windy  morning,  I  encountered  the  winsome  maid, 
Ruddy  Peachling  " 

(Hokusai) 


The  Lotus  Life  79 

Juvabit  Meminisse 

If  but  long  enough  I  dream 

Then  perchance  these  present  hours 

May.  again  appear  to  me 

Just  as  childhood  moments  seem 

Fraught  with  fragrant  memory. 

HYAKUNIN-ISSHU. 


LOVE'S  SACRIFICE 

Admonition 

Where,  by  Sumida's  tide  sweet  cherries  blow, 

Showering  their  snowflake  petals  on  the  stream, 
The  smiling  damsels  loiter  to  and  fro, 

Fairer  than  blossoms  white,  their  eyes  agleam, 
Wherefore,  if  you  would  heed  my  counsel  wise, 
Beware  to  look  upon  those  lustrous  eyes; 
Nor  thither  roam,  but  safe  at  home  abide 
When  blossoms  bloom  by  swift  Sumida's  tide. 

What  time  the  autumn  moon  with  radiance  bright 
Floodeth  the  leafy  wold  with  silvery  light, 
Sudden  from  out  the  shadows  there  will  gleam 
A  maiden's  face,  more  fair  than  moonlit  stream! 
Then  better  'twere  to  turn  your  steps  aside 
Than  go  moon-gazing  by  Sumida's  tide. 

The  sages  of  the  golden  age  of  yore 

Lived  arduous  days  and  scorned  all  earthly  ties. 
Think  ye  that  ye  will  gain  the  light  of  lore 

Beholding  moonbeams  in  a  maiden's  eyes? 
Nay!  by  a  lonely  path  must  ye  aspire, 
If  ye  would  e'er  attain  the  sacred  fire. 


8o  Old  Japan 

Lo!  threescore  years  have  I  with  Shaka  sought 
The  light  of  Wisdom,  shining  through  the  gloom. 

Full  many  a  youth  I've  seen  to  madness  brought 
Through  moon-light  roaming  mid  the  Cherry-Bloom. 

AZUMI  RYOSAI. 

It  fortuned  upon  an  exceeding  windy  morning  that  I 
encountered  the  winsome  maid  0  Momo  San  (Ruddy 
Peachling),  whose  skirts  the  wanton  breezes  fluttered 
with  such  seductive  audacity,  that,  had  not  the  dust 
blinded  mine  eyes,  I  might  have  accosted  the  wench 
with  unseemly  flatteries. 

Poring  that  day  over  the  sacred  tomes  I  came  upon 
this  curiously  apt  scripture: 

"Through  gazing  at  the  ivory-white  shins  of  a  maiden 
washing  clothes  the  Wizard  of  Kume  fell  from  his  magic 
chariot,  and  was  drowned  in  Sumida's  stream." 

Nathless  I  took  no  warning,  and  one  lovely  summer 
evening  Prince  Umayado  surprised  me  moon-roaming 
with  Ruddy  Peachling  beneath  the  cherry-bloom. 

"Alas,  thou  Merry  One,"  thus  he  upbraided  me. 
"Didst  thou  but  dream — 

"What  utter  dole  doth  lie 
Beholding  moonbeams  in  a  maiden's  eye! 
Loth  wouldst  thou  be  beneath  the  trees  to  hie 
On  April  nights  moon-gazing  at  the  sky. " 

Whereupon  Ruddy  Peachling  retorted: 

"  Didst  thou  but  dream  what  bliss  for  thee  doth  lie 
In  unbeholden  moonbeams  in  her  eye, 


The  Lotus  Life  81 

Whose  radiance  thou  dost  mercilessly  scorn, 

Wouldst  quit  thy  couch,  and  roam  the  meads  till  morn. " 

Anent  my  moon-gazings  with  the  lovesome  Ruddy 
Peachling  much  might  be  recounted— but  that  were 
another  chronicle. 

Prince  Umayado  was  like  his  countenance,  gentle, 
spiritual,  and  calm.  Overmuch  study  had  given  him 
the  look  of  one  who,  aloof  from  earth,  walks  the  high, 
untrodden  ways  of  passionless  delight.  Yet  was  his 
sympathy  ever  ready,  and  cruelty  stirred  him  to  relent- 
less wrath. 

Learned  was  he  in  the  ancient  sutras,  and  in  all  man- 
ner of  curious  arts;  but  naught  dreamed  he  of  the 
endless  wiles,  witchery,  and  loveliness  of  womankind, 
concerning  whom  the  Sanskrit  Bddhisattva  wrote: 

Long  ages  gone,  as  ancient  sutras  tell, 
Twashti,  the  blacksmith,  did  the  earth  create, 

Welding  each  metal  with  such  lavish  spell 
That  beggared  were  the  mines  of  Chaos  great. 

Then,  since  to  fashion  woman  naught  was  left 

Each  creature  of  some  trifle  he  bereft. 

He  stole  the  roundness  of  the  silver  moon, 
The  grace  of  clinging  tendrils  for  her  arm, 

The  doe's  calm  gaze,  the  nightingale's  sweet  tune, 
The  serpent's  silent  stealth,  its  power  to  charm, 

The  coo  of  doves,  the  raindrop's  merry  patter, 

The  parrot's  scolding  and  its  senseless  chatter. 

The  modest  shrinking  of  the  tender  grass, 
The  pride  of  peacocks  of  their  plumes  elate, 

6 


82  Old  Japan 

Softness  of  roses,  stubbornness  of  brass, 

The  dog's  devotion  and  the  tiger's  hate, 
The  wanton  breeze's  coy  solicitude, 
The  fears  of  hares  who  hunters  swift  elude. 

Thus  in  the  cauldron  cunningly  combined 
Were  heat  of  fiercest  flame,  of  snow  the  chill, 

Tears  of  the  rain  and  fickleness  of  wind, 
The  diamond's  firmness,  laughter  of  the  rill, 

Of  these  and  much  beside  did  Twashti  great 

Woman,  man's  blessing  and  his  curse,  create. 

KOYOSHI. 


Such  a  pretty  paradox  was  the  Princess  White  Chrys- 
anthemum. Compounded  was  she  of  such  unforeseen 
pranks  and  whimsies  that  none  could  comprehend  her 
heart;  nay  not  even  did  the  Princess  know  herself. 

Now  Prince  Umayado  loved  the  wilful  damsel  right 
manfully  and  besought  her  oft  and  ardently,  deeming 
from  sundry  glances  and  flushings  of  her  ivory  cheeks 
that  the  prideful  Princess  was  not  unmindful  of  his  love. 

But  with  witching  coquetry  the  obdurate  maiden 
withheld  surrender. 

It  chanced  upon  a  day  that  a  certain  rebel  chieftain, 
one  Mono-nobe,  whose  ambition  soared  to  heaven  and 
whose  treachery  sounded  the  depths  of  hell,  met  with 
the  Princess  as  she  walked  in  the  palace  garden. 

"Prince  Umayado,"  he  asserted  vehemently,  "is  a 
sexless  monk,  enwrapt  in  this  strange  new  cult  of  the 
Koreans. " 


The  Lotus  Life  83 

"Is  this  the  faith  they  call  the  Lotus  Life,  taught  by  a 
holy  Buddha?"  questioned  White  Chrysanthemum. 

"By  Benten  I  know  not,"  replied  Mono-nobe. 
"But  one  day,  wandering  to  their  temple,  I  heard  the 
bonze  Fu  discoursing  the  whiles  he  hammered  upon  a 
brazen  gong: 

"  'Observe,  my  children/  he  droned,  'the  beasts  and 
the  birds!  They  love  their  consorts  and  suffer  pangs 
of  jealousy  and  wrath — therefore  is  love  a  thing  bestial 
and  unworthy  the  soul  of  man. ' " 

"Spake  he  thus,  indeed, "  quoth  the  Princess,  "and  is 
Umayado  thus  heartless?" 

"Aye,"  answered  Mono-nobe,  "a  being  utterly 
passionless,  impotent  to  love  or  hate.  Grant  me,  0 
Princess,  the  jewel  he  doth  scorn;  give  me  in  sooth  thine 
ever  radiant  self. " 

Whereupon  White  Chrysanthemum  demanded: 

"Wouldst  thou  wed  me  were  I  dowerless?" 

Mono-nobe  mused,  leering  at  her  through  his  slanted 
eyelids.  "Forfeit  not  the  empire,"  counselled  the 
hypocrite,  "but  wed  Umayado  and  grant  me  still  thy 
love." 

The  eyes  of  the  Princess  flashed  fire,  but,  cloaking  her 
indignation  under  a  smile,  she  guilefully  demanded: 

"Honourable  lord,  how  might  this  be?" 

"The  way  is  simple, "  he  answered.  "Upon  thy  wed- 
ding night  will  I  slay  the  Prince.  Then  wilt  thou  be 
free  to  wed  with  whom  it  pleaseth  thee. " 

6 


84  Old  Japan 

Of  a  sudden  the  boughs  parted  and  Prince  Umayado 
stood  before  them  wide-eyed,  pallid,  and  relentless: 

"Princess,"  he  declared,  "I  hereby  renounce  heir- 
ship  to  the  throne;  and,  since  thou  lovest  Mono-nobe, 
do  give  him  unto  thee!" 

Whereupon  came  the  Prince  to  the  Empress  Suiko. 

"August  Sovereign,"  he  besought,  "I  crave  thy 
sanction  that  I  may  renounce  the  world  and  devote 
myself  to  a  life  of  meditation. " 

Nathless  not  a  word  did  he  breathe  of  the  treachery 
of  Mono-nobe,  lest  he  might  soil  the  name  of  her  he 
loved. 

Whereupon  the  Empress  was  exceeding  wroth. 
"Bonze  me  no  bonzes,"  she  cried.  "To  thee  alone  do 
I  entrust  the  Empire,  for  there  is  none  other  fit  to  mate 
with  my  prideful  daughter. " 

Umayado  winced,  as  though  struck  upon  an  un- 
healed  wound.  "Methinks,  August  Empress, "  he  said, 
"thou  dost  little  know  the  Princess,  since  from  her  very 
lips  have  I  heard  that  her  heart  is  given  to  Mono-nobe." 

By  evil  chance  it  fortuned  that  Mono-nobe  also 
sought  audience  with  the  Empress  and  openly  avowed 
himself  the  lover  of  the  Princess. 

To  the  indignant  denials  of  her  daughter  the  mother 
would  not  listen:  "Thou  shalt  wed  this  knave  forth- 
with, "  commanded  the  infuriated  Empress. 

White  as  her  name-flower  paled  the  Princess:  "I 


_.-iV    1*1  n\iL,*X\',.  't      \ .  vJII  *v        '  '        •     v  ' 


Our  merry  monks  passed  their  hours  in  a  ceaseless  round  of  revels, 
pranks  and  pleasantries" 

(Hokusai) 


I  sprang  into  the  basket  and  ferried  myself  across 
the  chasm  " 

(Hokusai) 


The  Lotus  Life  85 

will  wed  with  none  but  my  Umayado, "  she  murmured. 

Her  mother  laughed  scornfully:  "Fool,  the  Prince 
will  none  of  thee.  Even  now  did  he  renounce  suc- 
cession to  the  throne  for  sake  of  Buddha." 

Wherefore,  sorely  against  her  will,  was  the  White 
Chrysanthemum  wedded  with  the  black-souled  Mono- 
nobe. 

When  the  bridegroom  went  to  the  nuptial  chamber 
he  found  the  raiment  of  his  bride  strewn  heedlessly 
upon  the  floor;  but  the  Princess  had  vanished  none 
knew  whither! 


II 


OF  MARVELLOUS    MISUNDERSTANDINGS   CONCERNING  A 
PARASOL  AND  A  HORSE 

Our  merry  monks  of  Horiuji  passed  their  hours  in  a 
ceaseless  round  of  revels,  pranks,  and  pleasantries. 

The  butt  of  their  jests  was  a  half-witted  lad,  Kawaki, 
who  swept  the  manifold  mats  and  illumined  the  temple 
tapers. 

Pardon,  honourable  Reader,  this  playful  digression, 
for,  incredible  though  it  seem,  this  dullard  was  destined 
to  become  the  guiding  deity  through  whom  my  master 
discovered  his  lost  Princess. 

But  here  I  outrun  the  march  of  my  chronicle.  Let  me 
set  down  these  happenings  in  due  sequence  without 
haste  or  confusion. 


86  Old  Japan 

On  a  certain  day  Kawaki  astounded  me  with  the 
confession  that  he  had  given  my  most  precious  parasol 
to  a  beggar. 

"  Lumpkin ! "  quoth  I,  "thou  shouldst  have  denied  this 
request,  making  such  courteous  and  soft  answer  that 
the  suppliant  would  have  departed  contented." 

"How,  Master,  should  I  have  spoken?"  stammered 
the  witling. 

"In  some  such  wise  as  this: 

"  'Honourable  Pilgrim,  on  what  auspicious  errand  dost 
honour  my  humble  dwelling? 

"  'Wouldst  borrow  a  parasol?  Joyfully  I  haste  to 
render  this  trifling  service.' 

"Then,  my  wise  Kawaki,  thou  shouldst  have  offered 
my  meanest  parasol,  since  ne'er  would  we  behold  its 
face  again,  lamenting  the  whiles:  'Woe  is  me  that  I 
find  it  in  such  sorry  case.  My  master  while  holding  it 
above  his  head  encountered  a  gust  of  wind,  whereby  all 
its  ribs  were  broken,  and  its  skin  blown  over  the  pagoda. 
Naught  now  remains,  alas,  but  its  beautiful  handle, 
which  I  fear  will  scarce  serve  thine  honourable  purpose.' 
Thus  shouldst  thou  speak,  that  thy  words  be  wise  and 
courteous. " 

Now  it  fortuned  on  a  day  that  Prince  Umayado  de- 
spatched a  samurai  to  the  temple  in  quest  of  a  horse. 
Whereupon  the  witless  Kawaki  made  answer: 

"Woe  is  me  that  I  find  myself  unable  to  comply  with 
thine  august  request,  since,  while  holding  it  above  his 


Prince  Umayado 

From  "  In  Japan,"  by  Gaston  Migeon 
Permission  Wm.  Heineman,  London 


All  merciful  Kwannon  embodied  in  the  form 
of  his  beloved  princess  " 

From  "  In  Japan,"  by  Gaston  Migeon 
Permission  Wm.  Heineman,  London 


"  Crouched  beneath  a  maple  tree,  with  ankles  crossed,  as 
holy  Buddhas  sit " 

(Hokusai) 


The  Lotus  Life  87 

head,  my  master  encountered  a  gust  of  wind,  whereby 
all  its  ribs  were  broken  and  its  skin  blown  over  the 
pagoda.  Naught  remains,  alas,  but  its  beautiful  tail, 
which  I  fear  will  scarce  serve  thine  honourable  purpose. " 

Thereupon  I  berated  him  soundly,  the  whiles  he 
whimpered:  "These  very  words,  Master,  didst  thou 
bid  me  speak!" 

"Fool!"  I  cried,  "an  thou  liest  (and  a  pretty  lie  is  a 
heaven-descended  succour  in  time  of  trouble),  order  thy 
speech  so  like  the  truth  that  none  may  be  the  wiser. " 

"Tell  me,  Master, "  implored  Kawaki,  "how  I  should 
have  answered. " 

"Verily,  since  I  have  need  of  a  horse  that  I  may 
carry  Ruddy  Peachling  to  a  fair,  thou  mightest  have 
spoken  thus:  'Joyfully  would  I  render  thee  this  trifling 
service,  most  august  Prince,  but  my  master  turned  him 
out  to  grass  and,  becoming  frolicsome,  he  fell,  dislo- 
cated his  thigh,  and  is  now  lying,  much  swollen,  on  the 
stable  floor.  I  fear  therefore  that  he  will  scarce  serve 
thine  honourable  purpose. ' ' 

Now  it  came  to  pass  that  a  courier  brought  to  the 
temple  a  mandate  requiring  the  presence  of  Prince 
Umayado  at  court. 

Whereupon  did  this  addlepate  answer:  "Joyfully 
would  the  Prince  render  thee  this  trifling  service,  but 
my  master  turned  him  out  to  grass  and,  becoming 
frolicsome,  he  carried  Ruddy  Peachling  on  his  back  to 
the  fair,  fell,  dislocated  his  thigh,  and  is  now  lying,  much 


88  Old  Japan 

swollen,  upon  the  stable  floor.     I  fear  therefore  he  will 
scarce  serve  thine  honourable  purpose." 


Ill 

THE  FLAME  OF  LIFE 

Many  and  contrary  were  the  surmises  of  all  concern- 
ing the  whereabouts  of  White  Chrysanthemum.  Mono- 
nobe  spread  a  malicious  report  that  Prince  Umayado 
had  abducted  the  lost  Princess.  There  were  others 
who  maintained  that  she  had  slain  herself  rather  than 
yield  to  the  loathed  embraces  of  Mono-nobe. 

When  I  ventured  to  broach  this  opinion  to  the  Prince 
he  protested: 

"Nay,  methinks  the  Princess  but  lieth  in  hiding 
waiting  release  from  this  loveless  bondage. " 

When  the  Empress  told  him  of  the  words  of  White 
Chrysanthemum:  "I  will  wed  with  none  but  my  Uma- 
yado, "  then  first  came  to  my  Prince  an  understanding  of 
her  wondrous  white-souled  love. 

For  twelve  weary  months  he  sought  through  the 
length  and  breadth  of  the  kingdom;  but  despite  his 
untiring  zeal  no  trace  could  he  discover  of  her  whom  he 
loved. 

At  last  hope  died  within  his  heart,  and  he  strove  to 
realize  the  peace  which,  Buddha  taught,  cometh  through 
renunciation. 


The  Lotus  Life  89 

The  Lotus  Life 

"All  things,"  said  Shaka  sage,  "are  merely  dream! 
Like  silly  apes,  who  see  within  a  well 
The  shining  moon  reflected  for  a  spell,  , 

We  vainly  strive  to  clutch  the  silver  beam, 
Mistaking  for  the  truth  its  imaged  gleam, 
Dupes  of  illusion  void  we  fondly  dwell 
In  follyfs  paradise,  an  empty  shell, 
Not  knowing  joy  is  root  of  rue  supreme. 

Then  banish  all  desire  and  pleasures  shun, 

And  lift  your  hearts  from  thought  of  death's  dread  gloom. 

As  sleeps  the  flower  within  its  wintry  tomb, 

Blooming  anew  with  Spring's  benignant  sun; 

So  shall  ye  find  from  sorrow  sure  surcease, 

And  sleeping  wake  again  in  ceaseless  peace." 

KOYOSHI. 

Each  night  the  Prince  bent  over  the  sutras  seeking 
extinction  of  desire,  but  though  he  laboured  till  the 
break  of  day  the  image  of  her  whom  he  loved  hovered 
ever  before  his  imagination,  banishing  the  peace  of 
Buddha  from  his  troubled  soul. 

His  heart  cried  unceasingly: 

Though  I  may  not  pluck  to-day 

Yet  again  I  fain  would  see 
That  pure  violet  of  May, 

Left  ungathered  once  by  me. 

(MOTOORI.) 

In  unremitting  toil  he  strove  to  crush  his  love.  He 
plunged  anew  into  turmoil  of  life,  solving  the  problems 


90  Old  Japan 

of  the  state,  giving  to  his  country  her  first  code  of  laws, 
and  spreading  enlightenment  among  his  people.  From 
Korea  he  summoned  priests,  architects,  sculptors,  and 
artificers,  who  builded  him  a  vast  monastery,  a  con- 
vent for  holy  women,  and  a  lofty  pagoda,  like  the 
stalk  of  some  magic  lily  shooting  upward  toward  the 
stars. 

Watching  the  sculptors  at  their  work  a  desire  awoke 
within  him  to  carve  a  statue  which  should  surpass  all 
others  in  spirituality  and  grace,  an  embodiment  of 
Kwannon,  the  all-merciful  goddess,  who  forswore 
Paradise  that  she  might  more  fittingly  minister  to  the 
sorrowful  sons  of  men. 

Laboriously  he  chiselled  the  unwilling  wood;  but 
the  elusive  goddess  refused  to  be  conjured  forth. 

Upon  a  midsummer  night  when  a  silvern  moon  sailed 
idly  in  the  heavens,  and  earth  was  rife  with  song  of 
myriad  nightingales,  my  Prince  gazed  from  his  "Hall 
of  Dreams. " 

In  the  ebon  depths  of  the  lotus  pool  floated  a  celestial 
vision.  A  goddess,  white,  vague,  and  evanescent,  glided 
mysteriously  toward  him. 

Smiling  she  stretched  forth  wide  appealing  arms. 
In  a  voice  of  haunting  sweetness  the  vision  spake: 

"0  thou  who  deemest  thyself  forsaken,  lift  up  thine 
heart.  Kwannon,  the  all-merciful,  pitieth  thy  sorrow 
and  will  bring  thee  love. " 

Rapt  with  wonder  and  awe  Umayado  strove  to  kiss 


The  Lotus  Life  91 

the  hem  of  her  fluttering  robe,  but  the  goddess  vanished, 
leaving  but  brimming  water  upon  his  eager  lips. 

All  night  he  laboured  the  whiles,  under  deft  strokes  of 
his  mallet,  the  dead  wood  assumed  the  living  semblance. 
At  break  of  day,  his  chisel  still  in  hand,  sleep  fell  upon 
the  weary  sculptor. 

Wondrous  was  the  statue  in  form  and  colour  and  my 
Prince,  amazed  at  his  own  workmanship,  reverently 
enthroned  it  in  a  golden-lacquered  shrine. 

Morn  and  eve  he  prayed  before  his  statue.  Through- 
out long  days  of  toil  and  nights  of  loneliness  came  a 
nameless  solace,  a  calm,  submissive  trust  in  the  goddess 
that  tranquillized  his  love-deluded  soul. 

One  evening  he  gazed  upon  the  statue  with  enraptured 
eyes,  dreaming  within  his  heart: 

As  fragrant  incense  smoulders  slow  away 
So  wastes  my  life  in  unattained  desire. 
This  earthen  censer,  seared  by  passion's  fire, 
A  shattered  shard,  returneth  to  the  clay 
Wherewith  'twas  fashioned  once  upon  a  day. 
The  glowing  embers  of  life's  flaming  pyre, 
Fanned  by  vain  hope,  through  disillusion  dire 
Slowly  consumed  to  ashes  cold  and  grey. 

But  should  the  goddess  at  whose  shrine  I  kneel 

Bestow  fresh  aloes  on  the  embers  dead, 

The  flame  would  kindle  and  the  incense  rise 

Seeking  anew  immeasurable  skies, 

And  living  fragrance  all  around  be  shed, 

For  love  again  this  burned-out  heart  would  feel ! 


92  Old  Japan 

Then  of  a  sudden  a  sweet  voice  called  his  name  and, 
lifting  his  head,  the  Prince  beheld,  through  clearing  rifts 
of  incense,  All-Merciful  Kwannon  embodied  in  the  form 
of  his  beloved  Princess. 

Descending  from  her  golden  lotus-blossom  the  di- 
vinity folded  warm  human  arms  about  the  bewildered 
worshipper  and  laid  his  head  upon  her  bosom! 

Tenderly  he  led  her  into  the  moon-silvered  garden. 
And  as  they  wandered  'neath  the  cherry-bloom  I  know 
not  in  what  words  they  voiced  their  great  felicity;  save 
that  I  heard  the  Princess  murmur: 

"Beloved,  my  joy  is  now  so  great  I  fear  some  secret 
doom!" 

IV 

THE  LAW  OF  MIGHT 

Now  it  came  to  pass  that  the  Empress  fell  sick  of  a 
strange  malady,  which  the  Shinto  priests  averred  to  be 
a  chastisement  for  her  desertion  of  the  old  religion, 
i  Believing  his  sovereign  to  be  at  death's  door,  Mono- 
nobe  fomented  a  great  uprising  and  proclaimed  himself 
Emperor. 

With  a  mob  of  frenzied  fanatics  he  descended  upon 
Horiuji,  burned  the  monastery,  razed  the  convent, 
and  put  the  defenceless  inmates  to  the  sword. 

"By  the  mace  of  Bishamon!"  cried  my  master,  "for 
this  shall  Mono-nobe  die!" 


The  Lotus  Life  93 

Even  as  he  spake  there  fell  upon  his  knees  be- 
fore him  a  woeful  figure  besprent  with  mire  and 
blood. 

"Who  art  thou?"  cried  Umayado,  but  the  grovelling 
creature  answered  not,  save  by  inarticulate  moans. 
Then,  opening  his  mouth,  he  revealed  a  bloody  cavity, 
whence  his  tongue  had  been  torn. 

"It  is  Kawaki,"  exclaimed  the  Prince.  "This  thing 
hath  Mono-nobe  done!" 

The  youth  bowed  assent. 

"Whither  hath  he  fled? "  demanded  Umayado. 

The  mute  pointed  to  the  mountains. 

"Bore  he  thither  captive  the  holy  priestesses?" 

Lifting  two  mutilated  fingers  Kawaki  strove  most 
piteously  to  speak.  Of  a  sudden  he  ran  to  the  garden, 
and  returning,  laid  before  the  Prince  a  red  peach  and  a 
•white  chrysanthemum/ 

Lifting  the  lad  to  his  saddle,  Umayado  summoned  his 
samurai  and  fared  forth  in  quest  of  the  Princess. 

Up  a  steep  and  tortuous  road  we  wended,  along  the 
marge  of  beetling  cliffs  overhanging  a  foaming  torrent. 
After  many  a  weary  mile,  upon  the  brink  of  a  sheer 
abyss  we  beheld  a  mighty  castle  jutting  its  turrets  into 
the  cloudless  sky.  Whereupon  we  gathered  about  our 
leader,  taking  counsel  amongst  ourselvesf 

Of  a  sudden  upon  the  topmost  tower  fluttered  a  silken 
banner. 


94  Old  Japan 

"Behold!  the  white  chrysanthemum!"  he  cried. 
"Kwannon  be  praised,  the  Princess  bideth  within." 

With  that  the  Prince  blew  a  great  blast  upon  his 
horn.  Whereupon  Mono-nobe,  clad  cap-a-pie  in  lac- 
quered armour,  came  forth  upon  a  balcony. 

"Wouldst  parley  with  me,  Priest?"  he  shouted. 

"Nay  malefactor,"  retorted  the  other,  "but  with  the 
captive  Princess.  Announce  to  her  forthwith  that 
Umayado  craveth  audience. " 

Muttering  imprecations  Mono-nobe  turned  upon  his 
heel,  and  withdrew  within  the  castle. 

Somewhile  we  waited  till  he  came  again,  bowing 
obsequiously. 

l"The  Princess  granteth  thy  prayer,  augustly  hon- 
ourable lord, "  he  fawned,  "so  thou  comest  alone. " 

"First  give  me  sight  of  her,  caitiff,  for  in  sooth  I 
trust  thee  not, "  demanded  Umayado. 

Growling  within  his  beard,  Mono-nobe  was  about  to 
reply,  when  the  Princess,  ghost-white  and  fair  as  a 
goddess  stepped  forth  upon  the  balcony. 

"Venture  not  within  the  castle!"  she  cried,  "there 
lurketh  treachery  and  death!" 

Clutching  her  throat  the  infuriated  ruffian  thrust 
White  Chrysanthemum  back  into  her  prison. 

Maddened  by  that  sight,  Umayado  drave  the  rowels 
deep  into  his  steed  and  bounded  across  the  draw-bridge. 

With  clang  of  bolt  and  rattle  of  chain  it  rose,  severing 
my  master  from  us  by  a  gulf  impassable. 


The  Lotus  Life  95 

v 

THE  CHASTISEMENT  OF  THE  GODS 

Well  we  deemed  that  our  Prince  was  doomed;  nor 
could  we  devise  any  means  to  compass  his  deliverance. 

Wherefore,  with  a  few  sturdy  knaves,  I  fetched  a 
circuit  about  the  castle  spying  if  there  might  be  other 
port  of  entry.  But  on  all  sides  was  it  moated  about 
by  a  wide  and  deep  abyss,  and  other  bridge  or  portal 
was  there  none. 

Howbeit,  in  the  course  of  my  rambling,  I  chanced 
upon  some  woodsmen  felling  trees  upon  the  brink  of  the 
castle  moat.  To  my  amazed  delight  I  perceived  a 
cord,  stretched  from  a  tree  to  the  lower  story  of  the 
castle;  and  a  travelling  crate,  in  which  the  foresters 
were  transporting  fuel  to  the  cellars. 

Descending  suddenly  upon  the  unsuspecting  woods- 
men, we  stripped  them  of  their  raiment  and  attired 
ourselves  therewith.  Bidding  my  men  follow,  I  sprang 
into  the  basket  and  ferried  myself  across  the  chasm  to 
the  castle  cellars. 

One  by  one,  in  like  manner,  my  lusty  rascals  climbed 
into  the  crate  and  propelled  themselves  across  the  deep 
abyss. 

When  all  had  crossed  I  bade  them  wait,  crouching 
silently  within  the  charcoal  pen  until  call,  the  whiles  I 
mounted  to  the  kitchens. 

Mistaking  me  for  a  woodsman,  the  cook  welcomed  me 


96  Old  Japan 

with  a  savory  mess  of  toothsome  carp  from  the  castle 
moat. 

"The  Princess  be  here,"  he  boasted,  as  I  praised  his 
cookery. 

"Nay  that  will  I  in  no  wise  credit, "  I  shrugged,  "save 
I  see  her  with  these  mine  eyes." 

•"Out  upon  thee,  yokel,  to  deem  thyself  worthy 
to  gaze  upon  the  beauteous  White  Chrysanthemum! 
That  canst  thou  not  forsooth.  But  here  cometh  one 
who  will  certify  the  truth  of  that  I  speak. " 

With  this  there  ran  into  the  kitchen,  her  terror-wide 
eyes  starting  from  a  blanched  face,  my  little  Ruddy 
Peachling ! 

"Kwannon  have  mercy!"  she  cried.  "They  have 
lured  the  good  Prince  Umayado  hither  to  certain 
death." 

"Lead  me  to  the  Prince  forthwith,"  I  commanded; 
and  shouting:  "To  the  rescue  my  good  rascals!"  we 
charged  after  Ruddy  Peachling. 

Indeed  we  had  no  great  need  of  her  guidance,  for  a 
tumult  had  arisen  in  the  great  hall  whither  we  rushed 
to  the  deliverance  of  our  master. 

"Men  of  Mono-nobe,  are  ye  samurai  or  dogs?"  out- 
rang  the  voice  of  the  Princess.  "Stand  back  all.  Let 
them  fight  a  fair  fight,  and  the  gods  give  victory  to  the 
better  cause !" 

A  clash  of  steel  and  the  swords  of  Umayado  and 
Mono-nobe  flashed  above  us. 


The  Lotus  Life  97 

The  rebel  chieftain  howled  imprecations  as  he  hacked 
and  slashed. 

The  Prince,  silent,  cool,  and  relentless,  deftly  count- 
ered. 

Thus  they  fought,  furiously,  craftily,  like  lion  and 
tiger,  till  of  a  sudden  Mono-nobe  warded  a  swinging 
slash  and  caught  the  Prince  a  sharp  blow  which  sent 
his  blade  flying. 

Seizing  a  mace  from  a  bystander,  Umayado  crashed 
it  on  the  head  of  his  adversary  and  Mono-nobe  crumpled 
instantly  upon  the  floor,  his  skull  crushed  in. 

A  mighty  roar  rang  forth  from  the  dead  man's  ruf- 
fians as  they  surged  forward  to  tear  the  Prince  limb 
from  limb. 

Scarce  had  they  drawn  sword  when  my  good  fellows 
fell  upon  them  from  behind  and  hewed  a  path  through 
their  ranks.  They  outnumbered  us  two  to  one,  brave 
men  all  and  trained  fighters,  yet  steadily  we  gained 
ground  and  fought  our  way  to  the  Prince. 

"Save  the  Princess!"  he  cried,  and,  clustering  to- 
gether, we  formed  a  wall  about  them  and  hacked 
through  that  pack  of  wolves  to  the  castle-court.  Then 
my  blood  congealed  to  ice  as  I  beheld  the  abysmal  moat 
that  yawned  beyond  us.  All  hope  was  lost,  for  a  band 
of  samurai  guarded  the  lifted  drawbridge. 

"Trapped,  ye  rats!"  they  yelled,  laughing  fiendishly, 
as  they  caught  the  despair  written  upon  our  blanched 
faces. 


98  Old  Japan 

Then  fought  we  but  the  more  desperately,  as  men, 
knowing  they  must  die,  sell  their  lives  most  dearly. 

Suddenly  the  Prince  espied  a  great  kettle  of  oil. 
Seizing  a  torch  from  a  cresset  he  flung  it  into  the  caul- 
dron. Clouds  of  smoke  and  blinding  flame  burst  forth 
as  a  fearsome  ally  came  to  our  rescue. 

"Fire!  fire!"  shrieked  hundreds  of  frantic  soldiery; 
and  the  terror-stricken  warder  flung  down  the  draw- 
bridge. 

Crying:  "Save  not  yourselves  alone,  but  all  our  fallen 
foes, "  the  Prince  leaped  to  the  back  of  his  stallion  and 
lifting  White  Chrysanthemum  to  the  saddle  galloped 
across  the  trembling  planks. 

Fighting  indiscriminately  for  precedence  in  flight, 
our  foes  rushed  forth  to  safety. 

But  we,  mindful  of  the  mandate  of  the  Prince,  bore 
from  that  flaming  hell  each  one  a  wounded  enemy. 
Last  of  all  came  Kawaki  with  the  corpse  of  Mono-nobe. 
Wherefore  I  marvelled,  until  from  the  lofty  bridge  he 
hurled  his  grewsome  burden  into  the  yawning  chasm. 

Then  understood  I,  for  Kawaki  was  a  Fire  Worshipper 
and  would  not  suffer  the  soul  of  Mono-nobe  to  mount 
purified  by  flame  to  the  Eternal  Land,  but  committed 
it  to  wolves  and  kites. 

AFTERWORD 

My  garden  is  a  lovesome  thing  to  view, 

A  tangle  of  bright  bloom  and  darkling  green, 


The  Lotus  Life  99 

Frail  fronded  fern,  a  plashing  brook  between, 
And  lichen-lacquered  stones  of  every  hue 
Whose  mossy  fissures  flame  with  lithe  bamboo. 
Gnarled,  pigmy  pines  their  writhen  branches  lean, 
Like  goblins  in  the  moonlight's  ghostly  sheen, 
O'er  elfin  flowers,  besprent  with  gleaming  dew. 

Like  clouds  of  rosy  smoke,  the  cherry-bloom 
Its  wreathed  incense  softly  round  me  rolls, 
And,  in  the  pleached  shades  of  fragrant  gloom, 
A  fountain  leaps  ecstatic  toward  the  skies, 
Ever  to  fall,  like  our  star-soaring  souls, 
To  earth  again,  ever  anew  to  rise! 


What  further  remaineth  to  chronicle? 

All  the  world  knoweth  how  Prince  Umayado  sub- 
dued the  rebellion,  united  the  worship  of  Buddha  with 
the  ancient  Shinto  faith,  and  was  honoured  by  his 
country  with  the  title  of  Shotoku  Taishi  (the  Saintly 
Prince). 

I  have  seen  my  long-suffering  master  rewarded  for 
all  his  trials  by  the  wondrous  constancy  and  love  of  the 
Princess  White  Chrysanthemum. 

I  have  seen  Ruddy  Peachling  blossom  from  maid  to 
bride — not  mine,  alas!  but  the  wife  of  Kawaki.  Happy 
is  she.  Why  should  not  a  woman  be  content  who  may 
prate  and  chatter  to  her  heart's  desire  for  her  husband 
may  not  answer  back? 

I,  a  dim-eyed  bonze,  am  also  happy,  while,  with 
ankles  crossed,  as  holy  Buddhas  sit,  I  couch  me,  neath 


ioo  Old  Japan 

a  maple-tree  in  my  lovesome  garden  and  muse  upon 
friends  and  days  departed.     Verily 

Our  fleeting  life  is  like  a  boat, 

That  with  the  dawn  doth  seaward  float, 

Leaving  no  trace  behind! 

(MANYOSHIU.) 


CHAPTER  V 

A  MIKADO  AND  A  GEISHA 


She  toddles  by  on  cloven-stockinged  feet; 

A  white  plum-blossom  in  her  raven  hair, 

Combed  in  large,  lustrous  coils  with  endless  care, 

Framing  the  ivory  oval  of  her  sweet 

And  placid  face,  where  slanted  eyebrows  meet, 

Like  tiny  bridges  on  her  forehead  fair, 

O'er  eyes,  whose  tranquil  depths  so  debonair 

Know  naught  of  struggle,  triumph,  or  defeat. 

As  with  a  childlike  smile,  a  glance  demure 
And  flutter  of  her  dainty  painted  fan 
And  swish  of  silk-embroidered  robe,  she  seems 
A  winged  elfling  from  a  land  of  dreams, 
A  floating  lotus-blossom,  frail  and  pure, 
This  little,  laughing  maid,  0  Ume  San. 

UME  SAN  (Plum  Blossom)  was  the  fairest  Geisha 

in  the  kingdom. 
From   Nikko   to   Nagasaki   none  could  whirl  the 
broidered  draperies  with  such  seductive  grace,  nor  touch 
the  plaintive  samisen  with  more  entrancing  art. 

101 


102  Old  Japan 

In  all  Nara  there  was  not  a  finer  foot  or  whiter  hand 
and  her  eyes — "twin  jets  in  a  lake  of  milk!" 

And  so  it  befell  that  when  the  heaven-descended 
Prince  Yorimito  espied  her  in  the  sacred  rice-field, 
where  he  kept  vigil  upon  the  night  before  his 
coronation,  he  was  beside  himself  with  wonder  and 
delight. 

Vague  and  mystical  she  loomed  in  the  silver  moon- 
beams, her  black  hair  streaming  in  lustrous  waves  about 
her  pallid  face. 

"Princess,  if  mortal  thou  mayst  be,"  spake  the 
Mikado,  "deign  to  tell  me  who  thou  art,  for  ne'er  have 
I  beheld  a  maid  so  fair. " 

"In  sooth  I  am  but  a  simple  Geisha,  called  O  Ume 
San, "  she  answered  timidly. 

The  Prince  smiled  approval. 

"Good  my  Lord,  grant  me  pardon  that,  over-bold, 
I  have  disturbed  thy  holy  vigil."  The  voice  was 
that  of  a  child,  wondrous  sweet,  thrilling  him  to  the 
very  soul. 

"Well  content  am  I,  sweet  maiden,  that  thou  hast 
sought  me  thus, "  he  replied,  "but  what  mission,  I  pray, 
bringeth  thee  hither  in  the  dead  of  night?" 

Tremblingly  Plum  Blossom  peered  into  the  shadows. 
"August  Sovereign,"  she  faltered,  "thy  very  life  is  in 
peril,  the  Fujiwara  doth  plot  to  poison  thee!" 

Yorimito  caught  his  breath  suddenly.  "Poison," 
he  mused  dazedly.  "Why  doth  he  seek  my  death?" 


"  Sipping  sweet  sake  from  quaint  potteries  " 

(Kiyonaga) 
Permission  Armand  Dayot,  Paris 


"  A  wicked  light  gleamed  in  the  eyes  of  the 
Fujiwara  " 


"  Then  a  noisome  bed  beneath  the  lotus!" 

(Sharaku) 
Permission  Armand  Dayot 


A  Mikado  and  a  Geisha  103 

"A  living  death  hath  he  in  store, "  replied  the  Geisha. 

"How  thinketh  he  to  compass  this?"  the  Prince  de- 
manded. 

"Through  me.  He  doth  command  by  secret  drugs 
to  sap  thy  strength  until  thy  soul  shall  rot.  Beloved 
Sovereign,  I  implore  thee,  set  not  foot  within  his  trap. 
Beware  the  Fujiwara,  beware  of  me!" 

With  a  rustling  of  silken  robes  0  Ume  San  vanished 
in  the  shadows.  A  cock  crew.  A  stroke  of  green, 
glowing  slowly  to  gold,  was  drawn  by  a  mighty  brush 
across  the  canvas  of  the  sky. 

The  sacred  vigil  had  ended;  Yorimito  was  Emperor  of 
Japan. 

Through  the  solemn  coronation  ceremonies  a  vision 
flitted  ever  before  his  eyes — the  spirit-maiden  of  the 
rice-fields. 

"Beware  of  me!"  she  had  commanded;  but  by  the 
eight  hundred  myriad  deities  he  would  not  heed  her 
warning ! 

II 

The  lichen-lacquered  lanterns  gleaming  bright 
Loom  in  long  lines  between  tall  camphor  trees, 
Guarding  the  dusky  shrine  where,  in  the  breeze, 
Flutter  frail  gonfalons  of  gold  and  white. 
Like  silken  sails  of  Dawn's  wan  silver  light 
Against  the  wine-dark  murk  of  sunless  seas, 
They  rise  and  float  their  dragon  draperies 
Upon  the  sea  of  ebon-plumed  night. 


104  Old  Japan 

Spirits  of  ancestors,  dead  samurai, 

Teem  in  the  sacred  wood  and  hover  near; 

Daemons  and  Devas  with  the  evil  eye 

Inhabit  the  lithe  herd  of  dappled  deer 

That  browse  within  the  forest's  pleached  shade; 

Each  sloe-eyed  doe,  erstwhile  a  gentle  maid. 

Shrined  in  roseate  cherry-bloom,  mid  dusky  groves 
of  sandal  and  camphor,  smiles  the  imperial  park  of 
Kasuga. 

Along  the  shadowy  avenue  thousands  of  ancestral 
lanterns  loom  like  samurai  in  review.  Mild-eyed 
gazelles  browse  in  verdant  glades.  Glittering  gold- 
fish glide  in  the  dusky  lotus  pools.  Cloud-white  wis- 
taria droop  pendant  clusters  from  the  lichened  trees. 

Within  this  paradise  nestled  a  pleasure-pavilion 
wherein  lurked  a  deadly  serpent — the  Fujiwara,  Kam- 
baku,  plotting  the  ruin  of  his  sovereign. 

"  O  Ume  San, "  he  whispered,  as  he  furtively  mingled 
seeds  of  the  slumbrous  poppy  with  the  gloom-dispelling 
sake  in  a  brew  of  deadly  potency,  "to  thee  I  confide 
a  most  delicate  task.  Ply  the  Mikado  with  this  potion 
until  it  doth  lull  his  senses  to  sodden  sleep.  Then 
filch  from  him  the  signet,  with  which  he  is  wont  to  seal 
his  imperial  mandates,  and  fetch  to  me  this  talisman  of 
power." 

Plum  Blossom  tossed  her  glorious  tresses.  "And  if 
I  refuse?" 

A  wicked  light  gleamed  in  the  eyes  of  the  Fujiwara. 


A  Mikado  and  a  Geisha  105 

"Then  a  noisome  bed  beneath  the  lotus!  But  verily 
thou  wilt  not  refuse.  Thine  ambition  is  one  with  mine. 
When  thou  hast  won  the  Mikado  thou  shalt  bend  him 
to  my  will. " 

O  Ume  San  laughed  mockingly.  "When  I  have 
wedded  my  lord  I  shall  bend  him  to  my  will." 

' '  Wed  the  Mikado ! "  he  sneered.  "  Art  so  simple  as  to 
deem  thyself  worthy — thou,  a  Geisha?" 

The  eyes  of  Plum  Blossom  flashed  flame  as  she 
cried,  "Ay,  that  I  am,  were  he  a  thousand  times  an 
Emperor!" 

Amazed  by  her  audacity,  Kambaku  assented:  "Well 
might  it  be,  wert  thou  of  other  birth. " 

"Tell  me,  I  implore  thee,  the  secret  of  my  parentage, " 
pleaded  the  Geisha. 

"  Seek  not  to  know,  for  on  that  day  the  Emperor  will 
cast  thee  forth.  Be  content  with  love,  nor  hope  to  be 
his  wife!" 

A  scarlet  flame  swept  her  cheek  as  she  abased  herself 
in  simulated  submission. 

"Nay,  Kambaku,"  she  smiled  within  herself,  "still 
shall  I  save  him  from  thee!" 

The  Garden  of  the  Geisha 

Singing,  like  shrill  cicadas  in  the  trees, 
Strumming  on  samisen  with  fingers  fleet, 
To  plaintive  flute  and  rhythmic  tambour  beat, 
They  fill  the  night  with  elfin  revelries. 


io6  Old  Japan 

Sipping  sweet  sake  from  quaint  potteries 
And  dancing  on  deft  silken  sandalled  feet, 
Swift  speed  the  hours  within  this  blithe  retreat, 
As  whirl  the  Geisha  their  bright  draperies. 

Like  golden  moths  they  hover,  glide,  and  flit 
Within  the  shadows  of  the  garden  cool; 
Or  silent  and  impassive  cross-legged  sit, 
Like  brazen  Buddhas,  round  the  lotus-pool, 
While  over  all  the  samisen  intones 
Its  poignant  music,  like  a  dove's  low  moans. 

Lights  glittered  in  the  geisha-garden  and  amorous 
strains  floated  from  secluded  balconies.  Within  the 
pavilion,  fireflies  gleaming  in  their  dusky  hair,  graceful 
Geisha  flitted  before  the  youthful  monarch  in  a  bewilder- 
ing measure  of  butterflies  and  flowers. 

Yorimito  thrust  his  untouched  sake-cup  aside  and 
scanned  in  vain  each  passing  face. 

With  glare  of  lightning  and  thunder  of  drums,  whirl- 
ing their  flaming  raiment  in  tempestuous  flight,  the  furies 
of  the  Storm  God  Futen  flashed  swiftly  before  him. 

Despite  their  blithe  allurements  Yorimito  wearied  of 
the  deft-footed  Geisha,  and  joyless  and  distraught  strode 
forth  into  the  garden. 

Through  the  moon-silvered  dusk  he  wandered,  seek- 
ing ever  the  one  he  loved.  Fair  flower-maidens  lured 
and  caressed  him  with  rose-red  lips  smiling  for  his 
delight ;  but  ever  the  disappointed  lover  flung  them  off, 
crying: 


A  Mikado  and  a  Geisha  107 

"Thou  art  not  she  I  fain  would  find." 

Of  a  sudden  the  pine-boughs  parted,  and,  gleaming 
in  the  moonlight  like  a  silvery  lotus,  stood  0  Ume  San. 

Clasping  her  to  his  breast  Yorimito  whispered: 
"Flower  of  my  heart,  I  hunger  for  thy  love!" 

For  a  moment  she  lay  unresisting  in  his  arms,  then, 
as  his  hot  breath  fanned  her  cheek,  struggled  free. 

"Forgive  me,"  he  pleaded,  "I  meant  thee  no  dis- 
honour. Till  death  shall  I  worship  thee. " 

"Thus  is  my  love  for  thee,"  murmured  Plum  Blos- 
som; "thee,  and  thee  only,  so  long  as  my  soul  hath 
being!" 

There  was  silence  betwixt  them  for  a  space,  then, 
taking  the  golden  chain,  from  which  depended  the  im- 
perial signet,  he  laid  it  upon  her  shoulders,  saying: 

"Thus  I  make  thee  captive,  chained  with  bonds  of 
love!" 

The  Geisha's  eyes  grew  wide  with  fear: 

"  'Tis  the  same  the  Fujiwara  bade  me  steal! "  Then 
unloosing  the  chain  with  trembling  fingers  she  gave 
back  the  precious  signet. 

"My  Lord, "  she  cried,  "for  thy  life  renounce  not  to 
Kambaku  this  talisman  of  power!" 

Ill 

Kambaku  grovelled  upon  the  ground  before  the 
Emperor: 


io8  Old  Japan 

"What  is  thine  august  pleasure?"  he  fawned. 

"Trusted  Servitor,"  replied  Yorimito,  "thou  hast 
among  thy  Geisha  a  certain  singing-maid,  O  Ume  San, 
whom  I  fain  would  purchase.  Tell  me,  I  pray,  if  thoa 
wouldst  part  with  her  and  for  what  price." 

With  folded  arms  the  Fujiwara  pondered,  scanning 
furtively  the  Emperor's  face. 

"What  is  her  value  in  thy  sight,  most  august  Sover- 
eign?" 

"She  is  indeed  a  pearl  beyond  all  price.  Were  I  to 
measure  her  worth  in  gold  'twould  beggar  my  treasury. " 

Kambaku  smiled  assent:  "Even  so,  Lord,  hold  I 
her  in  priceless  estimation.  She  hath  not  her  like  in  the 
kingdom;  and  for  all  thy  wealth  I  would  not  barter 
her." 

"Stay,  be  not  so  hasty.  I  will  yield  thee  of  new- 
coined  pieces  her  weight  in  gold.  Hath  ever  man  paid 
greater  price?" 

The  light  of  avarice  gleamed  momently  in  the  eyes 
of  Kambaku,  then  he  shook  his  head. 

"A  greater  guerdon  would  I  fain  request,  a  goodlier 
boon,  though  but  an  idle  honour  thou  couldst  not  gain- 
say, "  he  purred  with  simulated  humility.  "  Do  me  but 
the  favour  to  requite  my  trifling  act  by  elevating  thy 
servant  to  the  post  of  Keeper  of  the  Seal.  So  shall  the 
girl  be  thine. " 

Yorimito  frowned.  That  would  be  to  confer  upon  the 
Fujiwara  absolute  power  of  life  and  death,  he  reflected, 


"  Yorimito  stammered:  '  Twas  but  a  bauble  of  carven  jade  " 


"  O  Ume  San  uttered  a  stifled  sob  " 

(Colour-print,  Toyokuni) 


"  Plum  Blossom  smiled:  *  The  Queen  is  little  worth,'  she  said,  *  so  that 
my  King  is  free ! ' " 

Prom  "  Old-World  Japan,"  by  T.  H.  Robinson 
Permission  of  the  Macmillian  Co. 


A  Mikado  and  a  Geisha  109 

when  his  reverie  was  broken  by  the  voice  of  0  Ume  San 
singing  behind  the  lattice: 

"Life  held  no  joys  and  death  no  fears 

Ere  first  I  met  with  thee. 
But  now,  howe'er  so  long  my  years, 

Too  brief  they  seem  to  me. " 

(YOSHITAKE.) 

"The  seal  is  thine,"  cried  the  Emperor.  "Hadst 
thou  demanded  the  very  throne  the  price  were  not  too 
great!" 

IV 

THE  GEISHA 

As  smoothly  as  a  wavelet  laps  the  strand 
She  melts  from  pose  to  pose  with  fluent  grace, 
Long  swirling  curves  her  broidered  garments  trace, 
A'flickering  flame  to  lambent  motion  fanned 
By  pliant  wrist  and  slender  rhythmic  hand; 
While  from  the  ivory  oval  of  her  face 
Asia's  slant  eyes,  through  lids  of  filmy  lace 
Smile  sadly  forth  with  gaze  serene  and  bland. 

To  strumming  samisen  and  droning  drum 
She  postures  slowly  with  consummate  art, 
Her  lips,  as  those  of  some  pale  priestess,  dumb, 
Wreathed  in  a  smile  of  elfin  mystery, 
Her  eyes  demure  as  childhood,  and  her  heart 
Unfathomed  as  the  deep's  infinity. 

Tranced  days  sped  by,  wherein  Yorimito  found  ever 
in  his  betrothed  some  new  revelation  of  infinite  variety. 


no  Old  Japan 

"Soon,  Beloved  One,  shall  we  drink  the  nuptial  sake, " 
he  exclaimed  joyously. 

Plum  Blossom  smiled.  "Lord,  my  cup  of  happiness 
were  overflowing,  shouldst  thou  but  grant  me  one  little 
boon." 

"Thou  knowest,  dearling,  there  is  naught  I  may 
deny  thee." 

Trembling  the  Geisha  drew  from  her  girdle  a  silken 
purse. 

"Lo,  here  are  a  score  of  silver  pieces  I  have  hoarded 
from  my  paltry  earnings.  Do  thou,  august  Master, 
take  them  to  Kambaku  and  buy  my  freedom." 

Yorimito  smiled  indulgently,  thinking  what  great 
price  he  had  paid: 

"Thou  art  free,  little  Blossom,  free  as  the  air  thou 
breathest.  Even  now  did  I  redeem  thee  from  the 
Fujiwara  for  my  very  own. " 

"Yet  am  I  still  a  slave,  though  bound  in  bonds  of 
willing  love.  Suffer  me  Lord,  to  ransom  myself  of  thee. ' ' 

"Wherefore  wouldst  thou  seek  freedom?"  he  de- 
manded in  sudden  alarm. 

"That  I  may  give  myself  back  to  thee,"  she  laughed, 
nestling  coyly  in  his  arms. 

"Tell  me,  Master  mine,  what  sum  did  that  usurer 
extort,  ere  he  yielded  thy  worthless  slave?" 

Yorimito  stammered.  "'Twas  but  a  trifle,  a  bauble 
of  carven  jade. " 

0  Ume  San  uttered  a  stifled  sob : 


A  Mikado  and  a  Geisha  in 

"Beloved,"  she  cried  reproachfully,  "thou  didst  not 
heed  my  warning!  The  Fujiwara  will  make  of  thee  a 
powerless  Puppet-Emperor,  the  whiles  he  ruleth  tyrant 
in  thy  stead!" 

"Nay,  his  presumption  shall  not  go  unpunished," 
cried  the  Mikado. 

Then  suddenly  bethinking  himself:  "Alas,  no  longer 
may  I  mete  justice  upon  him!  He  alone  wields  power 
of  life  and  death.  He  hath  the  Seal!" 


A  vague  sense  of  impending  doom  clouded  the  present 
joys  of  O  Ume  San,  a  dread  she  could  not  banish  of  the 
certain  vengeance  of  the  Fujiwara. 

Amidst  her  forebodings  she  strove  to  find  distraction 
in  divers  pastimes.  Of  these  the  one  in  which  she  took 
most  delight  was  the  game  of  chess.  Beneath  a  bower 
of  oleanders,  she  played  one  summer's  day  with  a  sister 
Geisha,  Jasmine. 

Of  a  sudden  her  opponent  clapped  her  hands:  "I 
have  won!"  she  laughed. 

"'Tis  true,"  assented  Plum  Blossom  moodily;  "but 
hadst  thou  known  the  stake  thou  wouldst  have  yielded 
me  the  game. " 

"What  secret  gage  didst  thou  venture?"  demanded 
the  other. 

"  My  life  against  the  Fujiwara,"  sighed  Plum  Blossom. 


ii2  Old  Japan 

"Daikoku  aid  us,  that  we  devise  some  stratagem  by 
which  thou  yet  mayst  win. " 

"First  must  I  save  my  Queen,  whom  the  Black 
Knight  threatens,"  cried  Plum  Blossom. 

"Then  wilt  thou  lose  thy  King,"  warned  Jasmine. 
"Thou  must  sacrifice  the  Queen;  there  is  no  other  way. 
Then  shall  the  Black  Knight  be  taken,  and  thy  King  be 
saved. " 

Plum  Blossom  smiled.  "The  Queen  is  little  worth, " 
she  said,  "so  that  my  King  go  free!" 

A  shadow  fell  across  the  board.  Glancing  upward 
O  Ume  San  beheld  a  samurai  standing  over  her. 

Bowing  courteously  he  extended  to  her  a  sealed  mis- 
sive. 

Breaking  the  silken  thread  Plum  Blossom  read  with 
beating  heart: 

Beloved: 

I  have  been  grievously  wounded,  and  lie  at  the  monastery 
of  Yakushiji.  Come  to  me  in  all  haste. 

Thy  Yorimito,  to  whom  death  may  be  very  near. 

A  palanquin  waited  at  the  postern,  and  0  Ume  San, 
recking  naught  but  the  peril  of  her  lover,  entered  un- 
questioning. Neither  did  she  note  that  the  bearers  wore 
the  Fujiwara  crest,  nor  suspect  aught  until  something 
tapped  lightly  against  the  lacquered  panels.  Peering 
forth  Plum  Blossom  beheld,  drawn  closely  about  her, 
the  meshes  of  a  net. 


A  Mikado  and  a  Geisha  113 

Naught  availed  that  she  shrieked  and  beat  upon  the 
door.  Bystanders  merely  raised  their  eyebrows  and, 
muttering: "  'Tis  some  drunken  Geisha,"  passed  heedless 
on  their  way. 

Hours  passed.  Peering  from  the  shutters  Plum 
Blossom  perceived  that  it  was  night.  A  tang  of  brine 
struck  her  nostrils.  A  roar  of  breakers  boomed  in  her 
ears.  They  were  skirting  the  marge  of  a  cliff,  be- 
neath which,  her  sails  billowing  in  the  breeze,  rocked 
a  high-prowed  sampan. 

Suddenly  she  heard  a  thud  of  galloping  hoofs. 

1 '  Help ! "  she  screamed, ' '  in  the  name  of  the  Emperor !' ' 

The  yellow  hawk's  eyes  of  Kambaku  stabbed  at  her 
through  the  dusk. 

"Hold  thy  tongue,  wanton,"  he  hissed,  prodding 
the  bearers  angrily  with  his  spear. 

An  answering  cry  rang  out  from  the  pursuers,  as  they 
gained  inch  by  inch  upon  their  quarry. 

In  vain  did  the  Fujiwara  strive  with  threats  and  im- 
precations to  goad  his  samurai  to  swifter  flight.  Yori- 
mito  with  relentless  wrath  charged  furiously  upon  them. 

The  rear-guard  faltered  under  the  sudden  onslaught 
of  the  imperial  swordsmen.  With  desperate  fury  they 
struck  out  terrific  blows  that  ripped  open  bodies  and 
crashed  through  helmet  and  skull  to  the  very  jaw. 

Over  severed  heads  and  mangled  bodies  they  leapt, 
their  flashing  blades  cleaving  lacquered  mail,  and  biting 
deep  into  sinew  and  bone. 


H4  Old  Japan 

Decimated  by  pitiless  slaughter  the  hirelings  of  the 
shogun  gave  way  and  paralysed  with  terror  sought 
safety  in  flight. 

Meanwhile,  beset  by  a  band  of  ruffians,  the  Emperor 
with  a  lightning  stroke  felled  his  foremost  assailant  and 
sent  a  second  reeling  to  earth,  when  suddenly  from 
behind  him  rang  a  woman's  cries. 

"Ware  thee,  Yorimito!" 

Wheeling  he  parried  a  treacherous  side  slash  from  a 
stealthy  samurai,  and  slicing  the  war-mask  from  his 
assailant's  helmet  revealed  the  blood-mad  visage  of 
Kambaku ! 

Like  two  lithe  leopards  they  glared  at  each  other,  on 
the  brink  of  the  beetling  cliff. 

Blade  clashed  against  blade  in  furious  slash  and  wary 
feint,  till,  with  a  sudden  stroke,  Yorimito  sent  his  op- 
ponent's sword  flying  from  his  hand. 

Scorning  to  take  advantage  of  an  unarmed  antagonist 
the  Mikado  sheathed  his  blade. 

Bowing,  as  in  surrender,  Kambaku  rushed  upon  him 
like  a  maddened  bull. 

Breast  to  breast  they  grappled,  writhing  back  and 
forth  on  the  slippery  sod,  each  striving  to  thrust  his 
opponent  over  the  marge. 

Kambaku  gripped  the  Mikado's  throat,  tightening 
his  merciless  fingers  as  the  other  rained  upon  him  mur- 
derous blows  of  his  mailed  fists.  The  relentless  talons 
bit  deeper  and  deeper  into  the  tender  flesh.  Ever 


Weary  and  spent  the  Mikado  and  the  Geisha  sought 
shelter  from  the  driving  snow  " 


(Haiunobu) 
Permission  Armand  Dayot 


"  A  servitor  threw  wide  the  fusuma.    Tokiwa  and 
Iki  entered  " 

(Utamaro) 
Permission  Armand  Dayot 


A  Mikado  and  a  Geisha  115 

nearer  the  fearful  brink  they  strained  and  struggled, 
each  alternately  uppermost. 

Of  a  sudden  Yorimito  saw  red.  His  eyeballs  started 
from  their  sockets,  and  a  bloody  froth  oozed  from  his 
lips. 

A  despairing  wail:  "Namu  Amida,  butsu,"  sounded 
faintly  in  his  ears. 

Summoning  one  supreme  effort,  Yorimito  tore  off  the 
strangling  fingers  and  thrust  his  adversary  to  the 
brink. 

Digging  his  feet  into  a  crevice  Kambaku  strove  to 
rise.  The  rock  crumbled.  He  tottered  backward, 
dangling  over  the  abyss.  Thus  he  hung  clutching  the 
feet  of  the  Mikado,  striving  to  drag  his  enemy  to 
death. 

The  sword  of  Yorimito  flashed  pitilessly  above  him.  * 

"One  word,  ere  thou  slayest  me!"  besought  the 
Fujiwara. 

"Speak!"  commanded  the  Emperor. 

"Thy  betrothed  is  a  vile  and  accursed  Eta!" 

"Thou  liest!"  flashed  Yorimito.  The  avenging 
blade  descended.  The  clutching  fingers  relaxed.  From 
ledge  to  ledge  the  body  rebounded  and  splashed  into  the 
sea.  Then  all  was  silent  save  the  lapping  of  the  waves. 

With  a  swift  slash  Yorimito  severed  the  net,  and 
clasped  O  Ume  San  to  his  heart. 

"Grieve  not,  Beloved,  'twas  but  a  fearsome  dream. 
Thou  shalt  awake  to  joy!" 


n6  Old  Japan 

VI 

DE   PROFUNDIS 

Tis  night!  without,  the  tempest  waileth, 

Mingled  with  sleet  swift  falls  the  driving  snow. 

So  cold  am  I  my  very  blood  congealeth, 
I  munch  my  smoked  salt  fish  in  utter  woe ! 

I  cough  and  sneeze,  and,  'twixt  the  trembling  wheezes, 

I  sip  of  sake  dregs  a  potion  cold, 
I  hug  my  bed  and  shiver  with  the  breezes, 

And  heap  upon  me  all  the  cloaks  I  hold. 

But,  as  I  shudder  thus  for  hours  together, 
I  strive  to  think  of  others  still  more  poor, 

Who,  starving,  shelterless  in  wind  and  weather, 
Must  beg  their  daily  crust  from  door  to  door! 

Unhappy  ones,  than  me  more  sunk  in  sorrow, 
Lost  souls,  how  pass  ye  then  your  days? 

(Voice  of  the  Wind;) 
"Wide  are  the  earth  and  heavens,  but  for  me  narrow, 

Bright  are  the  sun  and  moon,  but  not  for  me! 
From  my  bent  frame,  chilled  to  the  very  marrow, 
A  seaweed  cloak  falls  tattered  to  my  knee. 

"For  on  the  hearth  no  embers  bright  are  burning. 

Within  the  pot  the  spiders  spin  their  lace. 
And  now  the  village  head-man  is  returning — 
To  drive  me  homeless  from  this  squalid  place." 

MANYOSHIU. 

Weary  and  spent  the  Mikado  and  the  Geisha  sought 
shelter  from  a  sudden  tempest  in  a  roadside  hovel. 


A  Mikado  and  a  Geisha  117 

Huddled  beneath  a  heap  of  rags  upon  the  earthen 
floor  lay  an  aged  man. 

"Come  not  near  me,"  he  muttered.  "Touch  me 
not  for  I  am  an  accursed  Eta. " x 

A  paroxysm  of  coughing  shook  the  sufferer.  O  Ume 
San  ran  to  his  side  and  drew  the  ragged  coverlet  about 
him. 

"I  had  a  daughter  once,"  he  said,  his  eyes  lingering 
upon  Plum  Blossom,  as  she  heaped  the  hearth  with 
faggots.  "When  she  was  but  a  child  I  sold  her  to  a 
teacher  of  Geisha,  who  swore  never  to  reveal  her  par- 
entage." 

"Didst  give  her  no  birthright  token?"  asked  O  Ume 
San,  placing  a  pot  of  rice  upon  the  fire. 

"Verily,  a  sure  token,  the  mirror  of  her  mother,  a 
daughter  of  a  samurai,  who  left  home  and  kindred  to 
share  my  shame.  Soon  she  faded,  a  pale  plum-blossom 
drooping  neath  the  sun." 

"Father!"  cried  O  Ume  San,  clasping  his  trembling 
hands,  "dost  thou  not  know  me?" 

" Nay, "  protested  the  Eta,  "never  daughter  of  mine, 
so  wondrous  fair  thou  art ! " 

"Behold  the  token!"  she  laughed,  drawing  from  her 
girdle  a  silver  mirror:  " Thou  didst  give  it  me  saying: 
'  The  mirror  is  the  soul  of  a  woman,  even  as  the  sword 

1  The  Etas  were  a  caste  whose  occupations — necessitating  the  hand- 
ling of  dead  bodies — caused  them  to  be  looked  upon  with  horror  and 
disdain. 


n8  Old  Japan 

is  the  soul  of  a  samurai.  Behold  thy  mother's  face.' 
Oft  would  I  caress  it,  deeming  the  face  I  beheld  therein 
my  mother's. " 

Tears  coursed  down  the  father's  cheeks:  "Thou  art 
indeed  my  child! 

"  Ne'er  shall  summer  skies 

Dry  the  ceaseless  dew 
From  my  aged  eyes, 

Wept  for  loss  of  you. 
Long  I  have  known  not 

Where  thine  home  might  be 
Nor  what  pain  thy  lot. 

Thus  I  grieved  for  thee.  "l 

Turning  to  the  Emperor  he  cried:  "She  is  thy  love. 
Thou  wilt  not  cast  her  forth!" 

Yorimito  fell  upon  his  knees:  "Naught  save 
death  shall  part  us,  Father,"  he  murmured  rev- 
erently. 

A  wondrous  smile  lighted  the  careworn  face. 
A  terrific  paroxysm  rent  the  dying  Eta.  Piteously 
he  strove  to  speak,  but  his  lips  refused  utter- 
ance. 

"Come  back  to  me,  Father!"  cried  Plum  Blossom, 
then  fell  sobbing  upon  his  breast. 

"He  bideth  with  Buddha,"  whispered  Yorimito. 
"Behold  the  smile  of  ineffable  peace!" 

1  Murasake  no  Shikibu. 


A  Mikado  and  a  Geisha  119 

VII 

Never  the  shrill  cicada's  cry 

Giveth  a  sign  from  flower  or  tree, 

How  soon,  alas !  'twill  surely  die. 
Nor  know  we  more  our  destiny. 

BASHO. 

One  evening  as  the  shadows  deepened  a  frighted 
gazelle  leaped  through  the  shoji  and  fell  trembling  at  the 
feet  of  0  Ume  San. 

"Little  Coward!"  she  smiled,  "what  fearest  thou? 
Naught  of  evil  lurketh  here. " 

Through  the  shattered  shutters  she  peeped  forth  into 
the  forest  where  two  burning  coals  gleamed  in  the  dusk. 
A  panther  sprang  from  an  overhanging  bough  and 
vanished  in  the  night. 

"This  bodeth  some  hidden  evil,"  she  shuddered. 
"  I  will  seek  Yorimito,  and  he  will  laugh  away  my  fears. " 

Threading  the  bosky  labyrinth  leading  to  the  impe- 
rial palace  a  shadow  sprang  from  the  thicket. 

"  Kambaku ! "  she  cried,  "  hath  thy  da3mon  come  back 
to  earth?" 

The  Fujiwara  smiled  significantly.  "I  thought  not 
to  find  thee  here,"  he  growled, gripping  her  by  the  throat. 
"Be  silent,  and  thou  shalt  go  free." 

"Unhand  me  then,  and  let  me  pass,"  she  com- 
manded imperiously.  "Thou  shalt  answer  to  the  Mi- 
kado for  this  assault  upon  his  bride!" 


120  Old  Japan 

Kambaku  laughed.  "His  bride  forsooth, "  he  mocked. 
"When  the  Emperor  knoweth  thy  parentage  he  will 
cast  thee  off." 

The  Geisha's  eyes  flashed  triumph:  "  Yorimito  know- 
eth all,  yet  am  I  his  betrothed!" 

"Hast  thou  so  little  love  that  thou  wouldst  smirch 
him  with  thy  shame?"  demanded  Kambaku. 

"The  Emperor  is  above  all  soilure  of  mine  or  thine, " 
Plum  Blossom  murmured. 

"Nay,"  retorted  the  Fujiwara,  "thy  very  touch  is 
pollution.  Thou  art  an  Eta!" 

O  Ume  San  fell  quivering  upon  the  ground  and  buried 
her  face  in  her  hands. 

"Nor  may  he  wed  thee  if  he  would, "  resumed  Kam- 
baku pitilessly,  "save  by  relinquishing  the  throne  and 
becoming  an  outcast.  Shall  he  thus  abase  himself  for 
thee?" 

"  Never, "  sobbed  Plum  Blossom,  vanquished.  "  Bet- 
ter 'twere  that  I  should  perish. " 

"Listen,  little  Spring  Flower,"  he  pleaded,  his  voice 
assuming  a  gentler  tone,  "thy  wilfulness  hath  wrought 
thy  ruin.  Hadst  thou  bent  Yorimito  to  my  will  ye 
might  have  dwelt  in  happiness.  But  thou  didst  play 
against  me,  to  win  the  Mikado.  Little  deemed  I,  when 
the  game  began,  that  thou  wouldst  win  me  too.  Nath- 
less  hast  thou  triumphed,  and  I  am  thine,  body  and 
soul." 

"Sooner  death!"  she  flashed  defiantly. 


A  Mikado  and  a  Geisha  121 

"Death  for  the  Emperor,"  threatened  Kambaku, 
"so  thou  yield  not  to  my  desire." 

"In  the  name  of  Buddha,  spare  him,  good  my  Lord, " 
implored  Plum  Blossom,  "and  upon  the  morrow  shall  I 
grant  thee  thy  will, "  she  temporized  guilefully. 

"This  very  night,  "jaied  Kambaku,  his  eyes  aflame 
with  desire. 

"  Grant  me  then  a  trifling  boon,"  besought  the  Geisha. 

"Whate'er  thou  wilt,  Little  Blossom." 

"Give  me,  as  troth  plight,  this  bauble  seal,"  she 
smiled  with  coy  solicitude. 

"  Little  Devil,  I  can  deny  thee  nothing, "  he  shrugged, 
placing  the  seal  within  her  palm. 

"Come  when  I  quench  the  light,"  she  whispered. 
"It  shall  be  a  sign  that  the  Emperor  sleepeth." 

"When  he  sleepeth,"  echoed  the  Fujiwara,  then 
laughed  sardonically:  "This  night,  in  sooth,  shall  he 
slumber  deep!" 

VIII 

DUSK  AT  KARA 

The  pliant,  wind-swept  oleanders  veer, 

Etching  vague,  velvet  shadows  on  the  sand; 

And  camphor  trees,  a  venerable  band, 

Stretch  out  gnarled,  sinuous  branches  gaunt  and  sere. 

Innumerable  lanterns,  tier  on  tier, 

With  visored  helmets,  looming  on  each  hand 

In  long  defile,  like  silent  sentries  stand, 

While  in  the  meadows  browse  the  dappled  deer. 


122  Old  Japan 

Forgotten  figures  haunt  these  gardens  cool ; 
Contorted  trunks  of  the  wistaria  fair 
Seem  feudal  warriors  in  the  ghostly  gloom. 
The  Fujiwara,  stealing  from  his  tomb 
To  slay  the  young  Mikado,  waiting  there 
For  the  fair  Geisha  by  the  lotus  pool. 

Within  the  pavilion  O  Ume  San  knelt  in  prayer  be- 
fore her  mother's  mirror.  She  had  heard  the  muttered 
threat  and  knew  that  no  power  of  earth  or  heaven  would 
let  the  Fujiwara  from  his  revenge. 

Dry-eyed  and  calm  she  rose,  her  resolution  fixed. 
Never,  for  love  of  her,  should  the  Emperor  relinquish 
his  high  destiny. 

Then  wrapping  the  seal  within  a  scroll  she  wrote 
thereon:  "Beloved,  I  pay  thee  back  my  too  great 
price. 

"As  the  swift  stream  is  rent  in  twain 
By  boulders  in  its  flow, 
Yet,  speeding  on,  unites  again; 
So  may  our  souls  though  parted  now 
Unite  in  aeath  anew." 

Placing  the  missive  upon  the  tokonoma  she  took  from 
an  armour-chest  a  samurai's  helmet  and  cloak. 

Tiring  herself  therein  she  stood  before  the  lamp, 
throwing  her  shadow  upon  the  translucent  shoji,  well 
knowing  that  Kambaku  would  mistake  it  for  the  Em- 
peror. 

After  a  moment  she  extinguished  the  light,  and,  creep- 


A  Mikado  and  a  Geisha  123 

ing  beneath  her  quilt,  prayed  for  the  happiness    of 
her  lord. 

Ghostly  moonbeams  pencilled  upon  the  floor  frail 
fluttering  clusters  of  wistaria.  Suddenly  the  silver 
luminance  was  shrouded  by  a  creeping  shadow. 

Plum  Blossom  shrank  deeper  within  the  covering, 
her  heart  scarce  beating. 

Little  by  little  the  shadow  slowly  lengthened.  She 
heard  a  stealthy  tread  upon  the  floor.  The  loosened 
planks  uttered  shrill  creaks  like  cries  of  a  wounded  bird. 
Softly,  very  softly,  the  shoji  were  slipped  aside. 

A  sudden  flash  as  of  lightning.  Then  all  was  night. 
No  more  she  knew  of  earthly  pain  or  bliss  of  mortal  love. 
Plum  Blossom's  butterfly  spirit  had  fluttered  upward 
through  the  night. 

Kambaku  lifted  the  severed  head  and  leered  upon  its 
blood-bespattered  loveliness,  his  eyes  wide  with  horror. 

As  he  glared  thus,  gibbering  impotently,  a  shout  rang 
through  the  night.  He  wheeled  abruptly  about,  then 
reeled  to  earth,  his  heart  transfixed  by  the  sword  of  the 
Emperor. 

Oft  in  the  misty  spring 

The  vapours  roll  o'er  Mount  Mikasa's  crest 

While,  pausing  not  to  rest, 

The  birds  each  morn  with  plaintive  note  do  sing. 

Like  to  the  mists  of  spring 

My  heart  is  rent;  for,  like  the  song  of  birds, 

Still  all  unanswered  ring 

The  tender  accents  of  my  passionate  words. 


124  Old  Japan 

I  call  her  every  day 

Till  daylight  fades  away; 

I  call  her  every  night 

Till  dawn  restores  the  light; 

But  my  fond  prayers  are  all  too  weak  to  bring 

My  darling  back  to  sight.1 

1  Translated  from  Akahito  (in  The  Myriad    Leaves)  by  Professor 
Basil  Hall  Chamberlain. 


CHAPTER  VI 

THE  CLASHING  OF  THE  CLANS 

PRELUDE 

THE  MINAMOTO  CUBS 

TIER  husband  dead,  a  sheaf  of  spears  in  his  breast, 
the  roof  falling  behind  her,  Lady  Tokiwa  and  her 
little  sons  fled  from  the  flaming  Minamoto  Castle. 

With  sublime  audacity,  she  sought  refuge  in  the 
palace  of  her  arch  enemy,  the  Taira  tyrant  Kiyomori. 

In  all  Nippon  there  was  but  one  who  did  not  tremble 
before  the  cruel  daimio,  his  dauntless  mother,  Iki. 

So,  when  Tokiwa  implored  her  to  intercede  with 
Kiyomori  in  behalf  of  her  fatherless  children,  Iki 
peered  through  her  time-dimmed  eyes  into  the  faces  of 
the  Minamoto  princelings :  Yoritomo,  sullen  and  defiant, 
Yoshitsune,  laughing  and  cuddling  her  withered  bosom. 

"Jizo  bless  thee,  little  Elf,"  she  cried.  "Thou  hast  ' 
the  very  countenance  of  my  lost  babe.    Rise  Lady 
Tokiwa,  I  will  conduct  thee  to  my  son." 

All  Kyoto  rang  with  the  Taira  victory.    Kiyomori 

125 


126  Old  Japan 

and  his  exulting  retainers  were  carousing  in  the  high- 
roofed  banquet-hall.  His  heart  was  hot  with  sake. 
Lust  of  battle  had  yielded  to  lust  of  flesh.  He  had 
apportioned  the  precious  Minamoto  loot  among  his 
trusted  samurai,  and  was  now  tasting  with  delight 
the  cup  of  their  fulsome  flattery.  Drunk  with  wine 
and  glory,  he  surveyed  the  gods,  the  world,  and  himself 
with  self-complacent  pride. 

A  servitor  threw  wide  the  fusuma.  Tokiwa  and 
Iki  entered.  The  young  matron  prostrated  herself 
timorously  before  the  mazed  daimio,  the  aged  mother 
seating  herself  fearlessly  at  his  side. 

"Is  she  not  surpassing  fair?"  Iki  whispered. 

"By  Benten,"  cried  Kiyomori,  "'tis  the  peerless 
princess  of  the  Minamoto.  They  spake  sooth  who 
named  thee  most  beauteous  flower  of  Yamato." 

Tokiwa  smiled  pitifully :  "I  come,  most  august  and 
gracious  Lord,  to  beseech  a  priceless  boon." 

"What  wouldst  thou  seek?"  demanded  the  tyrant 
as  the  trembling  lips  of  Tokiwa  denied  her  speech. 

"That,  in  thine  infinite  mercy,"  besought  Tokiwa, 
great  tears  welling  to  her  eyes,  "thou  wouldst  spare  my 
fatherless  children." 

"Thy  Minamoto  cubs?  Never,"  he  thundered. 
"Soon  will  they  grow  to  panthers,  and  rend  the  hand 
that  feeds  them." 

"Mark  her  well,  my  son,"  insinuated  Iki.  "Is  she 
not  worth  the  venture?" 


The  Clashing  of  the  Clans          127 

Kiyomori's  gaze  drank  the  shrinking  figure  from  tiara 
to  sandal,  gloating  upon  her  gently  rounded  curves. 

"Bring  thy  brats,"  he  grunted,  clicking  his  fan. 

Laughing  and  unaffrighted,  the  children  romped 
in,  Yoshitsune  clambering  upon  the  knee  of  Mother 
Iki,  rummaging  her  robes  in  quest  of  sweetmeats, 
Yoritomo  planting  himself  sturdily  before  the  tyrant, 
scornful  and  unabashed. 

Tokiwa  bade  him  bow  obeisance,  but  he  refused, 
insolently  thrusting  out  his  tongue. 

Kiyomori  grinned:  "Fierce  little  panthers!  Mina- 
moto  to  the  bone!" 

"Nay,  my  son,  he  is  like  to  thee,"  cried  his  mother. 
"Even  so  thou  didst  honour  thine  elders  when  a  child." 

"And  wouldst  thou  rear  such  another  cub,  fond, 
long-suffering  dam?"  demanded  the  daimio  jestingly. 

"Yea,  more  than  one,"  she  smiled,  "grant  me 
both,  that  I  may  pare  their  baby  claws." 

Kiyomori  laughed,  "Thou  shalt  have  thy  will,  little 
Mother,"  he  muttered  grudgingly. 

Tokiwa  crept  to  the  tyrant's  dais  and  clasped  his 
feet,  weeping  for  joy. 


HOW  A  MINAMOTO  BEFRIENDED  A  TAIRA 

Kwannon 

Beneath  far-jutting  eaves,  whose  sword-like  sweep 
Slashes  the  verdant  lacquer  of  the  pine, 


128  Old  Japan 

A  forest  of  vast  figures  fill  a  shrine, 

Portraying  one  in  contemplation  deep, 

Whose  weary  lids  know  neither  death  nor  sleep. 

Tier  upon  tier  the  golden  idols  shine, 

Three  thousand,  thousand-handed,  loom  in  line, 

And  pitying  peer  on  all  who  pray  and  weep. 

Goddess  of  Mercy,  bountiful  and  kind, 

Who  givest  succour  to  the  sore  opprest, 

Within  thy  shrine,  where,  muttering  their  prayer, 

Old  bonzes  bow,  like  Buddhas  bent  and  blind, 

Grant  me  at  last  the  benison  of  rest, 

Thy  blest  Nirvana  and  an  end  of  care ! 


A  youthful  samurai  knelt  in  the  temple's  golden 
gloom  intoning  his  mournful  prayer.  Suddenly  he 
rose  and  beat  his  breast:  "Not  rest  or  peace  for  such 
as  I,"  he  cried  despairingly.  "Thou  knowest,  merciful 
Kwannon,  these  are  not  the  boons  I  fain  would  seek." 

"The  gifts  of  the  Goddess  are  of  her  own  choosing, " 
spake  a  gentle  voice  at  his  elbow.  "Yet  shouldst 
thou  entreat  her  with  whole-souled  faith,  she  will 
bestow  upon  thee  thy  heart's  desire." 

Turning  swiftly,  the  samurai  beheld  a  smiling  maiden, 
who  extended  to  him  a  silken  scrip  and  a  lacquered 
begging-bowl. 

"August  and  honourable  Lord,"  she  entreated, 
"pray  make  thy  benevolent  offering,  and  thrust  thy 
hand  into  the  bag  of  Fortune." 

"Surely  thou  art  no  priestess,  but  the  daughter  of 


The  Clashing  of  the  Clans          129 

Kwannon,"  spoke  the  samurai  noting  the  delicate, 
aristocratic,  oval  face,  from  under  whose  high-arched 
brows  wistful  eyes  met  his  own  with  the  trustfulness 
of  a  young  child. 

"The  Imperial  Maids-of -Honour  assist  the  priestesses 
upon  this  day  of  days,"  she  smiled. 

Dropping  a  silver  coin  in  the  bowl,  the  samurai 
slipped  his  hand  within  the  scrip,  fumbling  among  a 
mass  of  tiny  amulets.  His  brow  clouded  with  dis- 
appointment as  he  drew  forth  a  little  brazen  sword. 

"A  life  of  strife  is  allotted  thee,"  she  murmured, 
her  eyes  aflood  with  laughter.  "Is  this  not  thy  heart's 
desire?" 

The   youth    stood    wonder-struck   by    the   sudden 

sympathy  revealed  to  him  in  the  maiden's  naive  delight. 

"Already  is  that  mine,  fair  votaress,  but  I  would 

fain  have  greater  guerdon, "  ventured  the  enraptured 

samurai. 

"The  bounty  of  Kwannon  is  beyond  measure," 
rejoined  the  maiden.  "  'Tis  permitted  the  benevolent 
donor  to  entreat  her  grace  anew." 

"Request  is  proffered  that  the  noble  lady  will 
select  the  gift  which  the  Goddess  granteth  me." 

The  charms  in  the  scrip  tinkled  musically  as  her 
fingers  stirred  them.  A  smile  of  mingled  mischief 
and  tenderness  deepened  her  dimples  as  she  laid  in  his 
palm  a  tiny  golden  heart. 

"The  gods  have  granted  a  happy  omen,"  laughed 


130  Old  Japan 

the  delighted  youth, "since  it  comes  from  thy  hand  to 
mine." 

Her  ebon  lashes  swept  her  flushed  cheeks,  and  with  a 
little  inclination  of  her  delicate  head  the  maiden  glided 
away.  She  passed  from  group  to  group,  jingling  her 
coins  and  amulets,  chanting  sweetly  the  whiles :  "  Gifts, 
gifts  of  Kwannon;  to  the  benevolent  the  thousand- 
handed  Goddess  granteth  his  heart's  desire." 

The  youth  sped  after  his  fleeting  lady,  drawn  by  a 
lodestone  uncomprehended  but  irresistible,  and  paused, 
his  progress  suddenly  stemmed  by  the  suite  of  the 
Regent,  Taira  Kiyomori. 

A  score  of  years  have  passed  since,  as  a  lad, 
Yoshitsune  stood  in  the  despotic  presence  and  gazed  un- 
abashed into  the  tyrant's  relentless  face.  Little  recks 
Kiyomori  that  "the  Minamoto  cubs"  he  caged  within 
fortress  and  monastery,  grown  to  lithe  young  panthers, 
have  burst  their  bonds  and  even  now  are  crouching  for 
the  spring. 

"Thou  seest,  my  son,"  spake  Kiyomori  exultingly, 
"not  a  single  Minamoto  dareth  show  his  crest!" 

Munemori  pointed  to  the  smiling  seller  of  amulets: 
"Asagao,  Morning  Glory,  fairest  flower  of  the  Mina- 
moto, "  he  protested  courteously. 

"Daughter  of  dotard  Yorimasa, "  sneered  the  tyrant, 
"a  toothless  cur,  that  may  no  longer  bite!" 

"Yet  can  the  old  dog  snarl,"  laughed  Munemori, 


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The  Clashing  of  the  Clans  i3I 

"for  when  I  besought  the  hand  of  his  daughter,  me- 
thought  he  would  have  rent  me  limb  from  limb."  ' 

"  Shall  a  Taira  abase  himself  to  beseech  a  Minamoto?  " 
thundered  Kiyomori.  "An  the  maid  pleaseth  thee,  take 
her,  forsooth !" 


Yoshitsune  gripped  his  sword,  then,  mastering 
himself,  resolved  at  all  hazards  to  shield  his  fair  votaress 
from  her  hidden  peril.  He  plunged  into  the  seething 
throng,  seeking  ever  the  Flower  of  the  Minamoto. 
But  Morning  Glory,  in  her  gilded  norimon,  had  quitted 
the  temple-court. 

The  bearers  had  plodded  but  a  little  space  when 
Munemori,  riding  in  hot  haste,  overtook  and  forced 
his  escort  upon  the  maiden. 

"The  proffered  service  of  the  Taira  lord  is  not  de- 
sired, "  replied  Morning  Glory  courteously 

"Nay,  beauteous  lady,"  laughed  the  insistent  Mune- 
mori, "without  thy  leave  still  shall  I  guard  thee  on  thy 
way." 

With  a  sudden  clash  Asagao  closed  the  shutters. 

Unabashed,  Munemori  pursued  the  one-sided  inter- 
course, well  knowing,  howsoe'er  ill-content  the  maid 
might  be,  she  had  no  choice  but  to  listen. 

"Flower  of  my  heart,"  he  cried,  "I  have  long  time 
sought  thee  of  thine  august  father.  Why  doth  he 
still  deny  my  suit?  Such  an  alliance  would  slay  the 
hatred  of  our  rival  clans." 


132  Old  Japan 

"The  hatred  of  a  Minamoto  is  deathless,"  rejoined 
Morning  Glory.  "  Beware  to  anger  me  with  thine  unwel- 
come importunities,  else  thy  folly  bring  thee  evil  fate." 

"Deathless  too,"  echoed  Munemori,  "is  the  love  of 
a  Taira.  Know,  my  sweet  enemy,  that  no  hatred,  not 
even  thine  own,  shall  stay  me  from  my  will.  Entreat 
thy  father  to  grant  my  suit  else,  Body  of  Kwannon,  I 
shall  take  thee  without  his  consent  or  thine!" 

As  he  spake,  a  highwayman  sprang  from  covert,  and, 
with  lowered  halberd,  commanded  them  to  halt. 

"Who  art  thou?"  demanded  Munemori,  "who  thus 
waylay eth  peaceful  citizens?" 

"I  am  Benkei,  a  monk  of  Hiei-zan, "  cried  the  burly 
bonze.  Wherewith  the  bandit  laid  about  him  so 
lustily  that  he  beat  the  sword  from  Munemori's  hand, 
slashing  his  charger  in  such  grievous  wise  that  it  threw 
its  rider  heavily  to  the  ground. 

Morning  Glory  leaped  from  her  litter,  trusting  to 
save  herself  in  flight.  But  the  highwayman  with 
a  dexterous  sweep  of  his  halberd  held  her  captive 
within  its  scythe-like  curve. 

Sudden,  from  out  the  darkness,  ran  a  youthful 
samurai.  Grasping  the  bandit  in  a  grip  of  steel,  with 
relentless  might  he  bent  his  wrist  slowly  backward 
till  the  halberd  fell  clanging  upon  the  stones. 

As  the  cut-throat  stooped  to  regain  his  weapon,  with 
a  crashing  blow  the  unknown  samuari  struck  him  sud- 
denly to  earth. 


The  Clashing  of  the  Clans  133 

The  vanquished  ruffian  cringed  before  his  triumphant 
adversary:  "Spare  me,  most  valiant  lord, "  he  pleaded. 
"Suffer  me  to  become  the  henchman  of  my  conqueror." 

"My  henchman!"  echoed  the  other.  "Never!  I 
make  not  war  on  maids  nor  rob  defenceless  knights." 

"Softly,  august  master,"  fawned  the  contrite  high- 
wayman, "I  plotted  no  scathe  for  this  fine  gallant 
and  his  lovesome  lady.  I  sought  but  his  sword.  A 
vow  have  I  sworn  to  gain  a  thousand  blades  wherewith 
to  arm  the  merry  monks  of  Yoshitsune  against  the  vile 
Taira." 

Joyously  laughed  the  knight.  "I  am  Yoshitsune," 
he  declared,  "and  since  there  be  need  of  valiant  blades, 
I  accept  thy  proffered  fealty. " 

Turning  to  Morning  Glory,  he  bespake  her  full 
courteously:  "Lady  of  the  understanding  heart, 
suffer  thine  unworthy  servitor  to  guard  thee  on  thy 
way." 

Shyly  yet  eagerly  the  maid  made  answer:  "Will- 
ingly doth  the  daughter  of  Yorimasa  accept  the  prof- 
ered  service  of  the  valiant  Minamoto;  but  first  let  us 
succour  this  misfortunate  knight." 

Yoshitsune  devoured  his  enemy  with  hungering  eyes. 
"Little  love, "he  said,  "wouldst  thou  bear  this  Taira 
didst  thou  know  his  secret  soul?" 

"Nay,"  protested  Asagao  earnestly,  "I  love  thy 
foeman  not.  Belike  ye  may  meet  one  day  in  battle; 
then  would  I  pray  that  thou  shouldst  conquer." 


i34  Old  Japan 

Yoshitsune  smiled: 

The  Morning  Glory's  fragile  tendrils  twine 
Around  the  rope  with  such  bewitching  spell 
I  cannot  bear  to  break  the  tender  vine; 
But  draw  my  water  from  my  neighbor's  well. 

"Benkei, "  he  commanded,  "bring  water,  wherewith 
to  revive  this  wounded  knight." 

The  henchman  ran  to  the  river,  filled  his  helmet, 
an4,  returning,  poured  it  over  the  head  of  the  bemused 
Munemori,  who  rubbed  his  astonished  eyes  and  groped 
dazedly  for  his  sword. 

Placing  the  wounded  man's  arm  about  his  shoulder, 
Yoshitsune  spake  reassuringly:  "Fear  not,  Brother, 
we  would  but  take  thee  to  thy  dwelling."  Then  to  the 
erstwhile  highwayman:  "Lend  a  hand,  Benkei, "  he 
cried,  "'tis  for  the  honour  of  the  Minamoto!" 

Gently  he  bestowed  the  maiden  in  her  gilded  nori- 
mon,  whispering  the  whiles,  "Lady  of  the  under- 
standing heart,  'tis  for  thy  sake  I  have  done  this  deed! 
Tell  me,  I  pray,  that  I  may  greet  again  thy  wondrous 
smile." 

Asagao  abased  her  mist-dimmed  eyes:  "When 
the  first  morning  glory  opens, "  she  murmured  timidly, 
"in  the  temple  garden." 

"Then,  Flower  of  the  Dawn,  will  I  keep  the 
tryst,"  smiled  Yoshitsune,  his  heart  singing  with 
delight : 


The  Clashing  of  the  Clans  135 

"If  thou  shouldst  wish  to  meet  me,  Dear, 

We  two,  alone,  again, 
Come  to  the  temple  tori  near, 

Or  sunbeam,  storm  or  rain; 
And  if  the  idlers  scoff  or  sneer, 

Discreetly  to  them  say : 
Upon  the  passing  throng  to  peer 

Thou  wendest  thus  thy  way. 

If  thou  shouldst  wish  to  meet  me,  Dear, 

Alone,  but  thou  and  I, 
Hide  'neath  the  murmurous  pine  boughs  here, 

Till  I  to  thee  draw  nigh, 
Bide  in  the  sheltering  bamboo  patch, 

If  any  folk  ask  why, 
•Say  that  thou  earnest  there  to  catch 

A  burnished  butterfly." 

FLOWER  DANCE,  BINGO  PROVINCE. 
II 

HOW  A  MINAMOTO  CAME  TO  HIS  TRYST  AND  ENCOUNTERED 

WHOM  HE  WOULD  NOT  AND  THEREAFTER 

FARED  BETTER  THAN  HE  HOPED. 

At  the  unfolding  of  the  first  white  convolvulus 
Yoshitsune  hastened  to  the  temple  tori.  Vainly 
questing  Morning  Glory  he  wandered  through  the 
deserted  garden  to  the  vast  and  lofty  temple. 

Within  its  interminable  verandah  he  fell  upon  a 
band  of  Taira  samurai  absorbed  in  a  contest  of  archery. 
They  had  set  their  target  at  the  very  end,  emulating 
one  another  in  vain  attempts  to  reach  the  goal. 


136  Old  Japan 

Munemori  clapped  Yoshitsune  upon  the  shoulder. 

"Take  my  bow,  Comrade,"  he  exclaimed,  "and  try 
thy  fortune!" 

"Comrade  of  thine  am  I  not,"  laughed  Yoshitsune, 
"nor  may  I  avail  myself  of  thy  courtesy  since  graver 
matters  await  me." 

"Thy  business  shall  wait  forsooth,  an  thou  wouldst 
not  become  target  for  our  shafts." 

Loth  to  provoke  a  quarrel,  Yoshitsune  drew  bow. 
Over-confident  in  his  skill,  he  neglected  to  take  account 
of  the  wind.  His  arrow  swerved  to  the  side  and  buried 
itself  in  a  beam. 

With  a  shrug  he  yielded  the  bow  to  Munemori. 
Tossing  into  air  a  handful  of  feathers  the  Taira  noted 
the  trend  of  the  breeze;  then  stretching  the  great  bow 
with  all  his  strength  he  sent  a  shaft  far  beyond  his 
antagonist. 
A  ringing  cry  from  the  bystanders  acclaimed  the  shot. 

"Try  again,  Friend, "  smiled  Munemori  complacently. 

Parting  his  legs  for  a  sturdier  stance,  Yoshitsune 
drew  the  great  Kwanto  bow  to  its  utmost  stretch. 
An  arrow  trembled  in  the  heart  of  the  target. 

"A  master-shot!"  cried  the  Taira  bowmen. 

Aflame  with  envy,  Munemori  muttered:  "'Tis 
wondrous  chance,  if  indeed  it  be  not  magic.  Who 
art  thou,  stranger?"  he  demanded.  "Surely  ere  now 
have  I  beheld  thine  evil-favoured  visage." 

Yoshitsune  smiled  significantly:     "A  man  without 


The  Clashing  of  the  Clans  137 

home  or  name,"  he  rejoined,  hastening  into  the  temple. 

The  Taira  glared  lowering  after,  probing  his  memory. 
Of  a  sudden  he  struck  his  thigh. 

"Clansmen,"  he  stormed,  "'tis  the  Minamoto 
panther  who  hath  burst  his  cage!  Guards,  bolt  the 
doors,  that  he  may  not  escape!" 

Little  recked  the  eager  youth  the  trap  into  which  he 
had  fallen.  But  Morning  Glory,  waiting  within  the 
temple,  had  heard. 

"Hide,  dear  my  Lord,"  she  implored,  "else  will 
they  surely  slay  thee!" 

"Fear  not,  loved  Blossom,"  he  replied  reassuringly. 
"None  may  draw  blade  within  this  holy  place." 

"Nay,"  she  protested,  "Munemori  stayeth  not  for 
Gods  or  men!  Thou  art  unarmed.  The  Taira  will 
drag  thee  forth  to  torture." 

Against  his  will,  Asagao  silently  led  him  to  a  curtained 
alcove  behind  the  golden  image  of  Kwannon. 

"'Tis  the  shrine  of  the  Mikado,"  she  whispered. 
"None  may  enter  here  on  pain  of  death." 

"Yet  thou  dost  dare?"  he  marvelled. 

"Love  dareth  even  death!"  she  smiled  triumphantly. 

Sudden  shouts  and  the  tramp  of  iron  feet!  "  Death 
to  the  Minamoto!"  roared  the  thunderous  voice  of 
Munemori.  "Seize  and  strip  him,  then  cast  him  in 
the  panther's  pit.  We  shall  see  with  what  love  his 
kindred  caress  him!" 


138  Old  Japan 

The  temple  walls  re-echoed  as  the  Taira  troop  rushed 
in.  Back  and  forth  they  quested  through  the  endless 
ranks  of  golden  idols,  closing  slowly  in  upon  their  prey. 

As  Munemori  grasped  the  glittering  veil  of  the 
Goddess,  an  imperious  voice  stayed  his  profane  hand. 

"Bow  down,  Sacrilegious  One,"  commanded  Kwan- 
non.  "Sheathe  thy  sword  lest  I  destroy  thee  utterly!" 

The  great  idol  slowly  revolved,  her  myriad  arms 
raised  in  wrathful  menace.  Munemori  fell  back 
abashed.  • 

Within  the  shrine  a  trap-door  opened,  leading  to  a 
secret,  subterranean  passage.  The  youth  and  the 
maiden  descended,  the  .Goddess  turned,  wrapped  her 
gleaming  robes  about  her,  and  the  sword  of  Munemori 
shivered  in  fragments  against  the  bright  impenetrable 
folds! 

Through  many  and  tortuous  windings  they  hastened 
till  they  came  to  a  grated  doorway.  Recognizing 
Asagao,  a  sentry  led  them  up  a  narrow  stairway  out  into 
a  cloistered  court.  To  his  astonishment,  Yoshitsune 
saw  before  him  the  palace  of  the  Emperor,  whose 
guard  Yorimasa  commanded. 

Circling  the  cloister,  Asagao  conducted  the  youth  to 
her  father's  dwelling. 

The  daimio  salaamed  with  sibilant  indrawings  of 
breath:  "August  Highness,  dauntless  chieftain  of  our 
clan,"  he  greeted,  "deign  to  honour  with  thy  presence 
my  humble  abode. ' ' 


The  Clashing  of  the  Clans  139 

"My  Daughter,  it  is  thy  privilege  to  offer  refreshment 
to  our  princely  guest." 

Morning  Glory  silently  glided  from  the  apartment. 

The  eyes  of  the  aged  warrior  lighted  with  a  sudden 
flame: 

"Time  is,"  he  exclaimed,  "that  we  raise  the  white 
standard  of  the  Minamoto  and  rend  in  tatters  the  red 
Taira  banner.  For  this  have  I  long  plotted  in  secret ; 
now  is  the  hour  to  strike!" 

"In  truth,"  returned  Yoshitsune,  "even  now  my 
brother  Yoritomo  doth  raise  an  army  in  the  east. 
With  the  fighting  monks  of  Hiei-zan  will  I  go  to  join 
him." 

"My  Lord,"  interposed  Yorimasa,  "the  Minamoto 
shall  'set  up  a  Heaven-descended  Emperor,  in  whose 
veins  runs  no  taint  of  the  Taira  blood." 

The  voice  of  Yoshitsune  vibrated  with  deep  emotion. 
"When  the  last  Taira  lieth  in  his  bloody  shroud,"  he 
entreated,  "wilt  thou  grant  me  to  wife  thy  gentle 
white-souled  daughter?" 

Yorimasa  recoiled  as  though  stabbed  to  the  heart. 
"Highness,"  he  stammered,  "my  life  is  thine,  to  be 
poured  out  at  thy  bidding;  but  my  daughter  is  already 
given  to  another!" 

The  youth  swore  a  mighty  oath.  The  earth  reeled 
suddenly  beneath  him.  Had  Morning  Glory,  the  soul 
of  truth,  made  a  mock  of  his  affection?  In  the  twink- 
ling of  an  eye  his  faith  reasserted  itself. 


140  Old  Japan 

"To  whom  hast  thou  pledged  Asagao?"  he  demanded 
eagerly. 

"To  thine  enemy  and  mine,  Taira  Munemori, " 
was  the  curt  answer. 

Yoshitsune  sprang  to  his  feet.  "Munemori!"  he 
cried.  "Madman,  wherefore  hast  thou  done  this  deed?" 

Yorimasa  raised  his  hand  in  mute  deprecation: 
"The  truth  shall  be  known,"  he  said  simply.  "This 
very  day  did  Taira  no  Kiyomori  demand  the  hand  of 
Asagao  for  his  son " 

"Thou  didst  not  consent,"  the  youth  asserted. 

"Rather  would  I  doom  her  to  death,"  affirmed  the 
heroic  daimio. 

"But  Kiyomori  told  me  our  children  had  plighted 
their  troth  beneath  the  eternal  stars!" 

The  eyes  of  Yoshitsune  grew  dark  with  wrath : 

"Amida  Butsu!"  he  murmured  beneath  his  breath. 

"  Only  last  night  when  Munemori  rescued  my 
daughter  from  bandits." 

"'Tis  sooth,"  laughed  Yoshitsune,  "save  that  thou 
hast  sadly  misnamed  the  actors  in  this  little  comedy. 
'Twas  not  to  the  Taira  that  Asagao  plighted  troth." 

"  I  had  it  from  her  very  lips, "  insisted  Yorimasa. 

The  youth  smiled  incredulously. 

"Last  night,"  resumed  the  father,  "a  boding  dream 
oppressed  me.  I  sought  my  daughter,  fearing  lest 
some  dread  sorrow  had  befallen.  The  moonbeams 
fluttered  upon  her  frail,  white  figure,  a  fleeting  smile 


The  Clashing  of  the  Clans  141 

dimpled  her  peach-tinted  cheek.  Wistfully  she  mur- 
mured: 'Prince  of  my  dreams,  L  love  thee!  In  the 
Temple  of  Kwannon  have  I  given  thee  my  heart!' 
Forgive  her,  Yoshitsune,  she  is  very  young!" 

"Forgive  her!"  cried  the  blissful  youth,  "in  sooth 
I  shall,  since  she  hath  given  her  heart  to  me!" 

Yorimasa's  aged  eyes  lighted  with  a  joyous  smile. 
He  clicked  his  fan  sharply  and  Morning  Glory  entered 
bearing  upon  a  vermilion  lacquered  tray  the  ceremonial 
tea. 

She  had  donned  a  robe  of  mist-grey  cre"pe,  girded 
by  an  orchid-tinted  obi.  In  the  spread  wings  of  her 
raven  hair  glittered  golden  dragonflies. 

"My  daughter,"  smiled  Yorimasa  complacently, 
"the  august  prince,  Minamoto  no  Yoshitsune  honours 
our  unworthy  house  by  demanding  thee  in  wed- 
lock." 

Asagao  prostrated  herself  till  her  white  brow  touched 
the  floor:  "The  will  of  my  father  is  the  delight  of  his 
child,"  she  answered  dutifully. 

Yoshitsune  clasped  her  to  his  heart:  "Worshipped 
One,  through  a  thousand  existences  shall  my  love  for 
thee  endure,"  he  murmured  fervently: 

"The  way  a  river  runneth  to  the  sea, 

The  way  an  eagle  wingeth  through  the  day, 
The  way  my  passion  floweth,  Love,  to  thee! 
These  changeless  are  and  ne'er  shall  know  decay!"1 

1  Japanese  folk-song. 


142  Old  Japan 

III 

THE  BATTLE  OF  THE  FIREFLIES :  AND  HOW  "A  TOOTHLESS  DOG" 

DID  BITE 

It  was  night;  great,  white  mourning-lanterns  gleamed 
upon  the  Taira  gate.  The  tyrant,  Kiyomori,  had 
journeyed  to  the  Eternal  Land. 

"Perform  no  funeral  rites,"  he  had  commanded. 
"Seize  Minamoto  no  Yoritomo,  behead  him,  and  hang 
his  skull  before  my  tomb." 

The  death  of  the  masterful  Kiyomori  was  the  signal 
for  the  long-smouldering  Minamoto  rebellion,  which 
suddenly  burst  forth  and  swept  the  country  like  a 
devouring  flame. 

Rallying  a  horde  of  clansmen,  ronins  and  fighting- 
monks,  Yoritomo  kindled  the  fires  by  marching  against 
Kyoto. 

Taira  Munemori,  with  an  army  of  twenty  thousand 
samurai,  set  forth  to  meet  him. 

Yorimasa  with  a  paltry  three  hundred  waited  at  the 
Uji  River.  As  his  warriors  were  sawing  asunder  the 
last  remaining  planks  of  the  bridge,  a  sudden  clatter 
of  hoofs  broke  the  stillness  of  the  night! 

" 'Tis  Yoshitsune ! "  cried  Asagao  triumphantly.  "Be- 
hold his  snowy  banner  flashing  in  the  dusk." 

Yorimasa  raised  his  hands  in  mute  despair!  "Alas, 
my  child,  he  cannot  cross!  The  bridge  no  longer 
will  bear  his  weight!" 


The  Clashing  of  the  Clans  143 

Heedless  of  her  father's  warning  Morning  Glory 
mounted  the  trembling  timbers.  A  plank  splashed 
into  the  stream  as  she  glided  swiftly  across. 

"If  I  but  had  a  lantern  wherewith  to  warn  him," 
mused  the  maiden  longingly. 

The  meadow  glimmered  with  the  light  of  a  myriad 
glow-worms.  Asagao  smiled  with  sudden  delight. 
Descending  to  the  river  she  gathered  the  fireflies  by- 
scores,  and,  prisoning  them  in  her  veil,  made  a  gleam- 
ing torch. 

Pursued  by  a  squadron  of  Taira  horsemen,  Yoshi- 
tsune  with  a  score  of  samurai  galloped  toward  the 
bridge. 

Suddenly  Morning  Glory  flashed  her  lantern. 

"Halt,  Yoshitsune!"  she  screamed.  "The  bridge 
is  sawn  asunder!" 

Throwing  his  steed  back  upon  its  haunches,  Yo- 
shitsune lifted  her  to  the  saddle.  A  shower  of  arrows 
from  the  Taira  bowmen  whistled  around  them  as  he 
spurred  into  the  stream. 

Her  arms  clasped  tightly  about  his  shoulders,  Morn- 
ing Glory  clung  to  her  knight  as,  swimming  steadily, 
the  great  charger  safely  bore  them  through  the  seething 

torrent. 

Even  as  they  gained  the  bank  their  pursuers  neared 
the  fatal  bridge.  Unwitting  the  trap  which  lay  before 
them,  the  Taira  troop  rode  recklessly  onward.  When 
the  foremost  horseman  reached  the  middle  span  the 


144  Old  Japan 

planks  gave  way,  hurling  steeds  and  riders,  amid  a 
crash  of  splintered  timbers  to  sudden  death. 

White  with  terror,  Morning  Glory  sank  swooning 
upon  the  ground.  Yoshitsune  raised  her  gently. 

"Courage,  Love,"  he  cried.  "Ride  with  all  speed 
to  Yoritomo.  Spare  neither  spur  nor  lash!" 

"Nay,  I  am  not  affrighted,"  she  smiled,  tossing  her 
head  resolutely.  "A  Minamoto  feareth  not  the  hour 
of  battle!" 

"Await  me  then  in  thy  father's  palace.  Should 
the  Taira  cross  the  threshold,  thou  wilt  know  I  am 
no  more." 

"At  that  moment  will  I  go  to  join  thee,"  Asagao 
flashed. 

"We  shall  meet  here  or  in  a  happier  life, "  Yoshitsune 
smiled,  and  turned  to  face  the  foe. 

Munemori  led  his  twenty  thousand  samurai  into  the 
ford.  A  tempest  of  shafts  from  Yorimasa's  valiant 
bowmen  greeted  the  Taira  as  they  reached  midstream. 
But  how  could  a  few  score  archers  prevail  against 
such  overwhelming  odds!  On  they  came,  creeping 
up  the  bank  like  an  endless  swarm  of  ants,  their  lac- 
quered harness  gleaming  blue  in  the  moonlight. 

Sitting  his  steed  like  a  brazen  statue,  waited  Yoshi- 
tsune. Against  his  breast-plate  a  shower  of  shafts 
glanced  and  splintered.  Still  he  waited  until  the  fore- 
most Taira  were  but  a  lance's  length  away.  Then, 
with  a  sudden  cry,  he  spurred  furiously  upon  them. 


The  Clashing  of  the  Clans  145 

Desperately  fought  the  Minamoto  but  in  vain,  for 
the  Taira  surged  upon  them  relentless,  numberless, 
and  invincible. 

Yoshitsune  shivered  his  sword  upon  the  shield  of 
Munemori,  who  rose  in  his  stirrups,  his  blade  about  to 
fall. 

Springing  suddenly  between,  Yorimasa  cried:  "Out 
upon  thee,  caitiff,  to  strike  a  defenceless  foe!" 

The  great  blade  fell,  cleaving  the  casque  in  twain. 

Catching  him  in  his  arms,  Yoshitsune  bore  the 
stricken  general  from  the  field.  But  when  he  looked 
for  Munemori,  no  trace  of  the  Taira  could  he  find. 

Yorimasa  soon  revived  under  the  gentle  ministrations 
of  Morning  Glory.  "Time  enough  for  women's  work, " 
he  cried  impatiently.  ' '  Watch ! ' ' 

The  trembling  girl  crouched  upon  the  balcony. 

Affrighted  by  the  clash  of  arms,  a  swarm  of  fireflies 
rose  from  the  river  bank,  soaring  upon  the  night  like 
sparks  from  a  mighty  conflagration. 

"The  souls  of  the  Minamoto!"  cried  Asagao  despair- 
ingly. ' '  Father,  we  are  lost ! ' ' 

Hearing  no  response,  she  ran  into  the  chamber. 
Upon  the  white  matting  lay  Yorimasa  weltering  in  a 
pool  of  blood.  Preferring  death  to  surrender  the  un- 
conquered  chieftain  had  committed  seppuku. 

With  a  thunderous  crash  the  palace  gate  fell.  Snatch- 
ing an  axe  from  an  assailant,  Yoshitsune  rushed  into 
the  archway.  His  blows  rained  like  a  flail  upon  a 


146  Old  Japan 

threshing-floor.  Gathering  about  him,  his  warriors 
formed  a  rampart,  from  which  the  Taira  drew  back 
discomfited. 

"Munemori!"  he  shouted,  "darest  thou  not  leap 
this  little  barrier?" 

"All  in  good  time,"  returned  the  Taira,  his  face 
contorted  with  an  ugly  leer:  "Archers,  clear  the  way  of 
yonder  wildcat !" 

A  hundred  arrows  whistled  through  the  archway. 
Yoshitsune  fell,  transfixed  by  a  dozen  shafts. 

A  heart-rending  wail  arose  above  the  tumult.  Run- 
ning to  her  lover's  side,  Morning  Glory  grasped  his 
sword,  bent  on  self-destruction. 

Munemori  roughly  unclenched  her  trembling  fingers. 
"Thou  wouldst  slay  thyself,  sweet  Blossom,"  he 
laughed,  crushing  her  in  his  cruel  embrace,  "but  by 
the  Gods,  thou  art  too  late!" 

Asagao  sank  from  him  in  loathing  and  fell  swooning 
upon  her  father's  breast. 


IV 


THE  FLIGHT  OF  THE  TAIRA 

"  A  firefly  in  a  prison  pent, 
Ne'er  more  to  flame  upon  the  moor." 

Taken  captive  by  the  Taira,  Morning  Glory  lay  in 
delirium,  bereft  of  her  dauntless  lord. 


The  Clashing  of  the  Clans  147 

"My  Worshipped  One,  I  did  vow  to  join  thee  in 
the  Meido.  Alas!"  she  wailed,  "I  have  not  kept  my 
tryst." 

But  Yoshitsune  still  lived.  Raised  from  the  dead 
by  his  faithful  Benkei,  he  gathered  a  mighty  army  and 
descended  anew  upon  his  foes  with  fierce  and  bloody 
onslaught. 

Vainly  fighting  a  losing  cause  the  Taira  withdrew 
within  the  mighty  fortress  of  Kobe. 

Through  a  twelve-months'  siege  the  Minamoto 
gripped  the  struggling  city  in  an  ever-tightening 
grasp. 

Landward,  cyclopean  walls  engirdled  the  city  on 
all  sides  save  one,  where  towered  a  sheer,  impregnable 
cliff.  Crouched  thereon  the  Minamoto  panthers  glared 
upon  their  prey  ready  to  spring;  but  still  Yoshitsune 
delayed  the  death-stroke. 

Morning  Glory  stood  upon  the  ramparts  with  the 
Child  Emperor  flying  a  kite.  Her  eyes  scanned  anx- 
iously the  cliff  where  she  discerned  a  white  banner 
waving  amid  the  Minamoto  ranks. 

"'Tis  Yoshitsune,"  she  cried,  her  heart  beating  with 
delight,  "he  hath  recognized  my  signal!" 

Her  little  plan  had  succeeded,  Yoshitsune  had 
guessed  the  riddle  of  the  morning-glory  kite. 

Even  as  she  spake,  an  arrow  whistled  above  her  head 
and  quivered  in  the  heart  of  the  flower. 

"Alas!  he  would  slay  me!"  she  wailed. 


148  Old  Japan 

"  Look ! "  cried  little  Antoku,  drawing  in  the  cord  and 
displaying  a  barbless  shaft,  about  which  was  wrapped 
a  scroll.  "Someone  hath  sent  me  a  letter!" 

Morning  Glory  untwined  the  missive:  "'Tis  mine, 
dear  child,"  she  smiled,  and  hid  it  in  her  bosom. 

In  the  solitude  of  her  chamber  she  read  • 

What  is  this  life!    A  seed-plume  idly  blown 
By  turns  this  way  and  that  by  vagrant  wind, 
Wafted  we  know  not  why  by  instincts  blind, 
Unwitting  whence  we  came  or  whither  flown : 
But,  like  the  seed  unto  the  tempest  sown, 
That  springs  to  fruitage  'neath  the  sunbeams  kind, 
My  soul  doth  seek  unceasingly  to  find 
In  thy  dear  smile  the  Sun  of  Life  unknown. 

So,  like  the  morning-glory,  consciousless  of  aught 
Of  earth's  vast  mystery  of  ceaseless  pain, 
Bloom  thou  in  beauty,  or  in  sun  or  rain; 
Fear  not,  nor  take  a  solitary  thought, 
Of  morrows  doomful,  yesterday's  annoy; 
Bloom  for  the  day  in  unremitting  joy! 

Smiling  between  her  tears,  Asagao  wrote  an  answer- 
ing stanza,  and  pasting  the  poem  over  the  rent,  repaired 
the  broken  kite,  fraying  meanwhile  several  strands 
of  the  cord. 

Scarcely  had  little  Antoku  given  it  to  the  wind  when 
the  threads  parted,  the  kite  soared  high  in  air,  fell,  and 
was  caught  in  the  branches  of  a  pine  at  the  summit 
of  the  cliff. 


"  A  ringing  cry  rose  from  a  thousand  throats  as  the  great  ships  grappled" 

(Colour-print,  Kunitsuna) 


The  Clashing  of  the  Clans  149 

Yoshitsune  climbed  and,  discovering  the  missive, 
read: 

The  morning-glory  holds  for  one  brief  day 
A  soul  as  full  and  free  from  idle  fears, 
As  that  of  some  great  fir,  born  to  decay 
Though  it  may  flourish  for  a  thousand  years! 

MATSUNAGA. 

At  sunset  came  an  arrow  winging  a  burning  message : 

"If  thou  lovest  me,  Worshipped  One,  fail  not  for  thy 
life  to  wait  this  night  at  the  Water-Gate.  With  the  rising 
of  the  moon  will  the  Minamoto  panther  spring!" 

Morning  Glory  doubted  not  that  her  lover  would 
keep  his  tryst.  Well  she  knew  ere  dawn  not  a  living 
soul  would  be  left  in  the  palace.  In  fancy  she  heard 
the  roar  of  the  onslaught,  crashing  of  doors,  shrieks 
of  women,  and  through  it  all  one  shrill  small  voice 
pitifully  lisping  her  name.  No  quarter  would  be 
granted  to  the  Taira  infant,  grandson  of  the  hated 
Kiyomori. 

Silently  she  tiptoed  through  dim  corridors  to  little 
Antoku's  chamber.  Wrapping  the  sleeping  child  in  a 
futon  she  sped  to  the  Water-Gate. 

A  narrow  river  flowed  to  the  harbour,  where  the 
Taira  fleet  lay  at  anchor,  ready  for  instant  flight, 
Above  the  cliff  a  silver  moon  was  rising. 

Through  the  midnight  hush  she  heard  a  light  rustle 
as  of  wind-swept  branches,  at  first  scarcely  audible. 


150  Old  Japan 

then  rising  little  by  little  to  the  crash  of  a  mighty 
avalanche ! 

With  a  picked  band  of  warriors  Yoshitsune  waited 
on  the  summit  of  the  cliff.  At  the  rising  of  the  moon 
he  commanded  the  onslaught. 

The  Minamoto  warriors  drew  back  aghast  at  the 
brink  of  the  deep  abyss. 

Suddenly  a  startled  stag  sprang  from  covert  and 
bounded  down  the  cliff. 

Shouting  to  his  comrades:  "Where  a  stag  can  go 
there  can  a  man ! "  Yoshitsune  spurred  his  steed  over  the 
precipice. 

Down  plunged  the  powerful  charger,  through  bramble 
and  bracken,  sliding,  stumbling,  clambering,  amid  an 
avalanche  of  crumbling  stone,  down  the  bed  of  a  dried 
torrent.  On  he  galloped,  frightening  sea-fowl  from 
their  airy  nests,  crushing  small  furry  things  beneath 
his  heavy  hoofs,  hurtling  downward  like  a  meteor 
from  the  sky.  But  ever,  as  he  neared  the  silent, 
sleeping  city,  a  great  exultation  swelled  his  heart. 
He  rode  to  the  rescue  of  his  beloved ! 

Close  behind  charged  his  devoted  samurai  crouching 
over  the  necks  of  their  steeds.  Rearing,  rolling,  and 
diving,  down  the  beetling  cliff,  a  tempest  of  floundering 
horses  and  mailed  men.  Into  the  stream  they  plunged, 
led  by  Yoshitsune,  swimming  the  tide  to  the  very  steps 
of  the  Water-Gate. 

Through  dark  deserted  streets  swept   the  samurai, 


The  Clashing  of  the  Clans  151 

waking  the  doomed  inhabitants  to  sudden  massacre. 
Shrieks  of  terror  rose  from  the  Taira :  "To  the  ships ! " 
they  cried.  "To  the  ships!  The  Minamoto  are  upon 
us!" 

Beneath  a  flaring  cresset  stood  Morning  Glory,  hold- 
ing little  Antoku  in  her  arms.  Yoshitsune  sprang  to 
her  side  and  strained  her  to  his  heart. 

So  absorbed  were  they  in  their  supreme  felicity 
that  they  scarcely  heard  the  deep  bourdon  which, 
like  great  organ  chords,  swelled  through  the  teeming 
streets,  as  the  flood  of  fugitives  surged  in  mad  stampede 
to  the  harbour. 

Nor  did  they  note  that,  from  the  fighting  junk 
anchored  in  the  roadstead,  a  sampan  was  sculling  si- 
lently toward  them. 

With  a  sudden  shriek  Morning  Glory  was  dragged 
over  the  thwarts,  pinioned  by  the  powerful  hands  of 
Munemori. 

Instantly  Yoshitsune  sprang  into  the  sampan,  slash- 
ing his  way  to  the  Taira,  who  cowered  behind  the 
body  of  Asagao. 

But  as  he  stood,  fearful  to  strike  lest  the  blow  might 
fall  upon  his  loved  one,  the  boatmen  beat  him  heavily 
over  the  head  with  their  oars  and  flung  him  into  the 
sea. 

The  sampan  bounded  for  the  ship;  but,  hurriedly 
as  the  Taira  seamen  weighed  anchor  and  hoisted  sail, 
the  Minamoto  samurai  were  at  the  shore  to  bid  them 


152  Old  Japan 

devil's  speed.  Their  arrows  rained  upon  the  deck  like 
hail  upon  a  temple  roof. 

Morning  Glory  stood  at  the  stern  stretching  her 
arms  in  mute  appeal. 

Mounting  his  steed,  Yoshitsune  rode  into  the  water 
crying:  "Leap,  Asagao!  To  life  and  safety,  Light  of 
my  very  soul!" 

Vainly  the  maiden  strove  to  free  herself,  Munemori, 
laughing  derisively,  held  her  fast. 

The  white  sails  bellied  and  like  a  living  creature  the 
great  ship  took  the  sea. 


V 


THE  VENGEANCE  OF  THE  MINAMOTO 

O  ruthless,  wind-tossed  wave, 

Upon  Tsushima's  strands, 
How  many  ghosts  of  warriors  brave 

Lie  shrouded  in  thy  sands! 

IZAYOI   NO  Kl. 

Through  the  tortuous  channels  of  the  Inland  Sea 
fled  the  affrighted  Taira.  From  port  to  port  they 
scurried,  the  Minamoto  pursuing  relentlessly,  "as  the 
hawk  urges  the  pheasants  when  the  moors  are  burnt 
and  no  cover  is  left." 

In  the  narrow  strait  of  Dan-no-ura  they  turned  and 
faced  their  foes.  But  to  their  consternation  their 
ally  the  Governor  of  Kyushu  ran  up  the  white  flag,  re- 


"Munemori  evaded  the  stroke  and  running  to  the  bulwarks  plunged  into 

the  sea  " 

(Colour-print,  Kuniyoshi) 


"  So  there  he  sent  a  mighty  fleet 

With  horse  and  foot  and  arms  replete, 


To  scourge  the  land  with  famine,  sword  and  flame ' 


The  ford  of  the  Ujigawa 


I 


"  In  the  midst  of  the  turbulent  stream  the  litter  was  suddenly  overturned" 


The  Clashing  of  the  Clans  153 

inferring  the  Minamoto  to  eight  hundred  ships  and 
leaving  but  two  hundred  to  the  doomed  Taira. 

Yoshitsune  stood  on  the  bow  heartening  his  clansmen. 

"Banish  all  fear,"  he  cried.  "Death  cometh  soon 
or  late.  Let  us  live  this  day  so  that  future  ages  may 
acclaim  our  deeds!" 

The  air  was  thick  with  a  tempest  of  whirling  shafts, 
a  ringing  cry  rose  from  a  thousand  throats  as  the  great 
ships  grappled.  Their  blades  between  their  teeth  the 
Minamoto  leaped  upon  the  Taira  flagship. 

Smiling,  but  pitiless,  swinging  his  two-handed  sword 
like  a  gleaming  scythe,  as  it  reaped  on  every  hand  its 
harvest  of  sudden  death,  came  Yoshitsune. 

Behind  a  mast  crouched  Munemori,  till  his  adversary 
passed,  when  he  sprang  suddenly  upon  him ;  and  the 
Taira's  blade  glanced  from  the  Minamoto's  shoulder. 

Yoshitsune  whirled  abruptly  about  and  steel  clashed 
against  steel  as  the  two  slipped  and  staggered  upon 
the  gory  deck. 

With  a  quick  spring  Munemori  dashed  beneath 
his  adversary's  guard  and  thrust  deep  into  the  Mina- 
moto's side.  But  Yoshitsune  with  a  thunderous 
slash  severed  the  Taira's  helmet  and  the  raven  hair 
dripped  red. 

For  a  moment  he  reeled  drunkenly,  slashing  aim- 
lessly right  and  left. 

Warily  parrying  his  blows  Yoshitsune  beat  back  his 
dazed  antagonist. 


154  Old  Japan 

Suddenly  Munemori  slipped  in  a  pool  of  blood  and 
fell  prone  upon  the  deck. 

In  an  instant  with  upraised  sword  the  Minamoto 
was  upon  him. 

Munemori  deftly  evaded  the  stroke  and  running 
to  the  bulwarks  plunged  into  the  sea. 

Swift  as  a  flash  Yoshitsune  bounded  after  the  fleeing 
Taira.  In  the  seething  waters  they  rioted  and  wrestled 
like  two  great  dolphins. 

Diving  under  his  adversary  Yoshitsune  seized  him  by 
the  neck,  driving  his  powerful  fingers  deeper  and  deeper 
into  his  enemy's  throat. 

Gasping  for  breath,  Munemori  whipped  from  his 
baldric  an  ugly  dirk. 

With  a  mighty  wrench  Yoshitsune  tore  it  from  him 
and  hurled  it  into  the  air,  as  the  Taira  writhed  like  a 
serpent  struggling  to  free  himself  from  that  relentless 
grasp.  His  strength  was  failing  rapidly  and  his  brain 
whirled  as  Yoshitsune  ever  tightened  his  inexorable 
fingers. 

"Spare  me,"  he  gasped,  his  voice  scarce  audible. 
"I  yield!" 

Yoshitsune,  all  too  late,  relaxed  his  iron  grip.  The 
Taira  smiled  as  he  sank  lifeless  upon  the  breast  of  his 
enemy. 

An  agonized  wail  broke  from  the  Taira.  Fighting 
to  the  last,  shattered  but  unconquered,  one  by  one 
the  great  ships  sank.  Where  once  had  been  a  fleet 


The  Clashing  of  the  Clans  155 

was  now  but  a  mass  of  mangled  bodies  and  blood. 
Only  the  flagship  remained  afloat  with  the  trembling 
women  of  the  court. 

"  'Tis  the  end, "  cried  the  Taira.  "Shall  our  beloved 
live  to  be  slaves  of  Minamoto  lords?  "  Thrusting  their 
swords  into  the  hearts  of  wives  and  children  they  cast 
themselves  into  the  sea. 

Morning  Glory  crouched  in  a  corner  with  the  child- 
Mikado.  She  had  seen  her  lover,  locked  in  the  arms 
of  his  enemy,  vanish  in  the  deep  and  deemed  him  lost. 

Buckling  the  sacred  sword  about  the  infant's  waist 
she  cried  defiantly: 

"Ne'er  will  I  suffer  the  foe  to  lay  hands  upon  my 
heaven-descended  sovereign."  Stroking  his  forehead 
lovingly  she  joined  together  his  little  hands,  and  bade 
him  breathe  a  prayer. 

He  turned  to  the  west  and  called  upon  the  name  of 
Buddha.  He  turned  to  the  east  and  bade  adieu  to  the 
shrines  of  the  Immortal  Gods. 

Asagao  clasped  him  to  her  breast. 

"Let  us  journey  to  the  Eternal  Land,"  she  cried  and 
leaped  into  the  sea. 

"Alas,  the  pity!  Alas,  the  pain!  The  merciless  bil- 
lows engulfed  the  Jewel  Child!"  A  fleeting  moment 
and  the  divine  sovereign  was  but  flotsam  upon  the 
tide  of  Eternity. 

Down  fathomless  depths  sank  Asagao.  It  seemed 
to  her  that  the  Sea  Dragon  enwrapt  her  in  cold 


156  Old  Japan 

envenomed  coils.  Vainly  she  strove  to  throw  them 
off,  they  only  held  her  closer.  Then  suddenly,  no 
longer  cold,  they  were  bearing  her  swiftly  upward ! 

When  Morning  Glory  drifted  back  to  consciousness 
all  was  silent,  save  for  drowsy  lapping  of  the  waves. 
The  sun  laughed  in  a  cloudless  sapphire  sky.  Beaming 
upon  her  with  love  unutterable  stood  Yoshitsune. 

"In  vain  I  strove  to  save  the  Jewel  Child,"  he  said 
self -reproachfully ;  then,  smiling:  "Kwannon  be 
blessed,  thou  art  restored  to  me! 

"  My  life  a  darksome  garden  was,  before 

Therein  one  day  you  came,  the  Sun  to  bring, 
Flower  of  the  Dawn !  to  fill  for  evermore, 
My  heart  with  Love's  bright  Spring." 

(KOYOSHI.) 


CHAPTER  VII 

THE  FOLLY  OF  THE  KHAN 

(From  the  "  Perilous  Peregrinations  "  of  Messer  Marco  Polo.) 

To  Chipangu1  did  Kublai  Khan 

An  expedition  vast  decree; 

Where  dwelt  the  Minamoto  clan, 

'Mid  treasures  measureless  to  man, 

Beyond  the  eastern  sea. 

So  there  he  sent  a  mighty  fleet 

With  horse  and  foot  and  arms  replete, 

To  scourge  the  land  with  famine,  sword,  and  flame, 

The  flowery  isle  where  blooms  the  cherry  tree, 

Till  all  should  yield  subjection  to  his  name! 

Thus  Kublai  in  his  folly  did  decree. 

But  of  that  Mongol  horde,  which  boldly  started 
Down  the  green  hills  athwart  the  sea  to  sail, 
A  merry  crew  that  from  Cathay  departed, 
Returned  a  sorry  handful  broken-hearted, 
Famished  and  spent,  to  tell  the  shameful  tale. 
And  so  befell,  an  if  ye  list  my  story, 
Unto  the  fleet  as  I  shall  now  relate, 
Disaster  dire  and  murder  red  and  gory, 
A'  harvest  reaped  of  two  dead  brothers '  hate. 

1  Chipangu — ancient  Chinese  name  for  Japan. 

157 


158  Old  Japan 

FOREWORD 

rjORASMUCH  as  my  most  veracious  chronicles 
*  have  been  slanderously  named  lying  fabrications, 
do  I  hereinafter  reserve  these,  the  most  curious  of  my 
voyages  in  orient  lands,  to  be  set  forth  publicly  only 
after  this  generation  shall  have  utterly  departed,  and  a 
more  enlightened  race  arisen  to  give  them  credence. 

As  to  the  wanton  insinuations  concerning  my  ve- 
racity, suffice  it  to  state  that  the  sobriety  and  modera- 
tion of  this  narrative  refuteth  these  accusations.  For, 
look  you,  were  it  my  will  to  deceive,  could  I  not 
prevaricate  with  greater  proficiency?  Hath  not  my 
creator  endowed  me  with  sufficient  imagination  and 
ingenuity  of  conceit?  An  I  would,  I  might  uncover 
such  a  tale  of  wonder  as  should  pale  to  pretty  prat- 
tle the  misadventures  of  Sailor  Sindbad  or  the 
amorous  nocturnal  prowlings  of  that  he-cat  Haroun 
Al  Raschid. 

In  the  stead  thereof  what  have  I  indited?  Marry 
but  a  plain  tale  of  a  few  paltry  fights,  slayings  a  many 
and  rescues  innumerable,  sweetly  spiced  with  torture  by 
fire  and  bitings  of  mad  wolf-hounds.  The  closeting 
in  a  bath-house  with  a  nymph  more  beauteous  and 
bare  than  Venus,  hidings  in  the  mazzard  of  the  idol 
Daibutsu,  love  most  brave  and  ardent,  death  most  dire 
and  lamentable.  The  wreckings  of  a  typhoon  in  all 
history  most  vast  and  terrible,  with  the  miraculous 


1 

o 

o 

I 

g 

•a 


"S 

CO 


The  Folly  of  the  Khan  159 

bringing  together  of  two  hearts  fashioned  for  one 
another  from  the  foundations  of  the  world. 

Such,  gentle  reader,  is  the  simple,  tempered,  and 
unadorned  tale  of  unassailable  truth  now  laid  before  ye 
by  one  whose  heroic  deeds  have  ever  spoken  more 
loudly  in  his  praise  than  his  over-modest  and  self- 
deprecatory  tongue. 

There  be  likewise  reasons  of  state  wherefore  the 
secrets  herein  sealed  should  not  be  disclosed  during  the 
lifetime  of  that  puissant  potentate,  my  gracious  patron, 
the  all-powerful  monarch,  Kublai  Khan,  King  of  Tar- 
tary  and  Emperor  of  Cathay;  for  so  contrary  to  the 
policies  of  that  august  sovereign  are  certain  of  the 
emprises,  that  belike  he  himself  might  be  constrained 
to  disown  them. 

So,  enough  of  exordium  and  let  us  to  the  meat  of  our 
chronicle. 


HOW  I  CAME  TO  CATHAY,  THE  REALM  OF  THE  GREAT  GRAND 

KHAN 

For  your  silks  to  Sugarmago!    For  your  dyes  to  Ispahan! 
Weird  fruits  from  the  Isle  o'  Lamaree! 
But  for  magic  merchandise, 
For  treasure  trove  and  spice, 

Here's  a  catch  and  a  carol  to  the  great  grand  Khan, 
The  King  of  all  the  Kings  across  the  sea! 

Merchants  from  Cathay,  WILLIAM  ROSE  BENET. 


160  Old  Japan 

It  was  in  autumn  of  the  year  of  our  salvation  one 
thousand  two  hundred  and  seventy-five  that  I,  Marco 
Polo,  Venetian  merchant  and  voyageur,  stood  in  a 
bazaar  of  the  ancient  city  of  Bokhara  chaffering  rugs, 
when  into  the  market-place  wended  a  caravan  of  mad 
merchant-men. 

Mad  do  I  advisedly  nominate  them,  for  a  more 
disordered,  brawling,  bawling,  cursing,  sword-loosing, 
maid-bussing,  lewd,  and  loathly  crew  hath  it  ne'er  been 
my  lot  to  encounter. 

Bronzed  were  their  faces  beneath  scarlet  fez  and 
white  turban,  broidered  their  robes,  but  foul  with  desert 
dust,  and  keen  their  scimitars  as  many  a  poor  wretch, 
foolhardy  enough  to  anger  them,  learned  to  his  cost. 
Strange  little,  striped  mules,  cleped  zebras,  they  be- 
strode, and  mountainous  dromedaries  bedecked  with 
sumptuous  trappings  and  tinkling  bells. 

Many  and  outlandish  were  their  costly  wares:  all 
manner  of  attars  and  gems,  carven  tusks  of  elephants, 
tiger  and  panther  skins,  and  countless  chests  of  a  cer- 
tain dried  herb,  whence  they  decocted  a  hot  seductive 
beverage. 

All  these  they  spread  in  the  bazaar,  bartering  for 
my  commodities.  Having  overmatched  them  in  every 
bargain,  so  great  was  their  admiration  that  perforce 
must  I  journey  with  them  to  their  land,  and  to  this, 
after  much  chaffering  as  to  my  recompense,  I  at  length 
consented. 


The  Folly  of  the  Khan  161 

Across  interminable  deserts  and  over  lofty  moun- 
tains toiled  our  motley  caravan.  Through  dangers 
manifold  we  came  at  last  to  Cambaluc1  in  the 
Empire  of  Cathay;  and  with  much  rejoicing  I  was 
conducted  to  the  great  grand  Khan. 

II 

THE  CAVE  OF  VOICES  AND  TWO  DEAD  BROTHERS'  HATE. 

In  Xanadu  did  Kublai  Khan 
A  stately  pleasure  dome  decree 
Where  Alph,  the  sacred  river,  ran 
Through  caverns  measureless  to  man 
Down  to  a  sunless  sea. 

Wherein  a  mighty  fountain  flung  up  ever 
Mad  dancing  rocks  from  out  that  sacred  river, 
And,  'mid  this  tumult,  Kublai  heard  from  far 
Ancestral  voices  prophesying  War! 

COLERIDGE. 

Upon  a  day  the  Emperor  summoned  me  saying : 
' '  Come  with  me,  Friend,  and  I  will  disclose  to  thee  a 
wonder  of  wonders. " 

Whereupon  we  journeyed  far  without  the  mighty 
wall  Jenghis  Khan  had  builded,  across  leagues  of 
tawny  desert  to  the  snow-mantled  mountains,  in  whose 
verduous  depths  nested  a  lovesome  garden.  Amid 
black  cypresses  I  beheld  pinnacles  and  golden  domes 

1  That  part  of  Peking  now  known  as  the  Tartar  City. 


1 62  Old  Japan 

illumined  by  the  sun  till  they  blazed  as  though  carven 
in  amber  against  a  sapphire  sky. 

Oft  had  I  heard  of  its  forbidden  delights, — wondrous 
silver  peacocks,  which  moved  gem-studded  tails, 
golden  singing-birds,  scented  viands  served  by  houris 
of  Paradise;  therefore  great  was  my  chagrin  when  the 
Khan  entered  not  its  open  portal. 

In  the  stead  thereof  he  plunged  into  a  deep  ravine, 
winding  his  way  along  a  tumbling  torrent,  which,  'neath 
overarching  boughs,  descended  ever  deeper  in  gloom, 
till  it  glided  beneath  a  natural  archway  of  rock  at  the 
foot  of  a  lofty  precipice. 

Then  Kublai  set  free  his  horse,  and  I  likewise,  and 
we  entered  into  a  boat  which  lay  moored  among  the 
rushes,  loosing  which  we  swept  into  the  cavern  and  a 
great  darkness  wrapped  us  in  its  gloom. 

But,  presently,  as  we  whirled  on,  I  saw  lights  as  the 
eyes  of  panthers  in  the  night.  No  eyes  were  they  but 
torches  set  in  iron  sockets,  where  the  subterranean 
river  swept  in  sharp  angles  round  walls  of  jagged  rock 
which  we  avoided  by  the  means  of  boathooks.  And 
so  on  and  on  through  cavern  after  cavern  which  as  we 
neared  and  passed  the  torches  I  perceived  to  be  hung 
with  stalactites  of  many-coloured  crystals  as  it  were 
great  gems.  Thus  came  we  at  length  to  the  great  and 
dazzling  Hall  of  the  Chrysolites;  gorgeous  with  my- 
riad lights,  each  lamp  reflected  an  hundred  times  from 
its  many-facetted  crystals. 


The  Folly  of  the  Khan  163 

In  the  centre  was  a  bottomless  pit,  circular  in  shape 
and  parapeted  by  a  low  wall  of  shining  crystal.  The 
place  reverberated  with  a  roar  as  of  surges  breaking 
upon  the  shore. 

"What  is  this  awesome  sound?"  I  questioned  tim- 
orously. 

Drawing  me  back  from  the  yawning  abyss,  the  Khan 
cried,  "Wait!" 

Then,  with  a  roar  of  thunder,  there  rose  a  geyser, 
casting  up  stones,  which  fell  at  our  very  feet. 

Suddenly  the  fountain  uttered  hoarse,  menacing  cries. 
War!  War!  War! 

Certes  I  was  affrighted ;  my  hair  rose  like  bristles  on  the 
mane  of  a  boar  and  my  flesh  was  suffused  with  icy  sweat. 

When  the  tumult  had  subsided  the  Khan  caught 
my  arm: 

"Thou  didst  hear  the  talking  water?"  he  questioned. 
"Tis  the  spirit  of  my  grandsire,  crying  ever,  'Chipangu ! 
Chipangu!'  Ne'er  will  that  voice  be  silenced  until  I 
have  obeyed  its  mandate  and  conquered  the  cradle  of 
his  race. " 

"  Thy  grandsire,  august  monarch,  as  the  world  doth 
know,  was  the  all-puissant  Mongul  conqueror,  Jenghis 
Khan!" 

"The  world  doth  stand  in  misprision,  Friend  Marco, " 
he  retorted,  "for  Jenghis  Khan  was  none  other  than  the 
famous  outlaw,  Minamoto  no  Yoshitsune. 


164  Old  Japan 

While  we  cantered  joyfully  homeward,  under  the 
blessed  luminance  of  moon  and  stars,  the  Khan  related 
to  me  the  story  of  two  dead  brothers'  hate. 

Returning  in  triumph  from  Dan-noura  to  lay  the 
heads  of  the  Taira  chieftains  before  Yoritomo  at 
Kamakura,  Yoshitsune  was  most  foully  set  upon  by  his 
brother's  samurai,  and  fled  to  mountain  fastnesses. 

Surrounding  his  home,  Yoritomo  took  captive  his 
defenceless  wife.  Though  she  was  soon  to  become  a 
mother  he  demanded  that  Morning  Glory  be  brought 
before  him  to  dance,  for  the  entertainment  of  his  court. 

Undaunted  she  came,  singing  the  prowess  of  her  mis- 
fortunate  lord  so  winsomely  that  all  who  beheld  and 
heard  wept  for  very  pity. 

All  save  Yoritomo  who,  with  heart  harder  than  a 
nether  millstone,  doomed  her  to  instant  death. 

But  his  wife,  the  noble  Lady  Masa,  took  pity  upon 
her  and  shielded  the  woeful  woman  until  her  son  was 
born. 

Thereupon  Yoritomo  commanded  that  the  child 
be  strangled;  and  cast  the  mother  forth  to  wander 
barefoot  'midst  the  winter  snows. 

But  the  faithful  Benkei,  strong  as  a  bull,  yet  gentle- 
hearted  as  a  child,  discovered  Morning  Glory  and  bore 
her  in  safety  to  her  husband. 

Yoritomo  gave  out  that  Yoshitsune,  seeing  himself 
vanquished,  committed  seppuku,  having  first  plunged 
his  sword  into  the  heart  of  his  loyal  wife. 


The  Folly  of  the  Khan  165 

Most  false  was  this  report  as  my  story  shows,  for, 
guised  as  begging-bonzes,  Yoshitsune,  Morning  Glory, 
and  the  faithful  Benkei  plodded  over  mountain  and 
vale  till  they  made  their  toilsome  way  to  the  Yellow 
Sea.  Here  it  was  their  hap  to  fall  in  with  a  pious 
pirate,  who  through  manifold  ventures,  dire  and  peril- 
ous, brought  them  safe  at  last  to  the  sunny  land  of 
Arabia. 

A  full  score  years  dwelt  Yoshitsune  among  the  wild 
and  turbulent  Tartars,  when,  their  chieftain  dying, 
they  made  him  monarch,  the  all-powerful  Jenghis 
Khan. 

At  the  head  of  a  mighty  army  he  swept  like  an 
avenging  flame  across  the  steppes  of  Tartary,  conquer- 
ing and  unconquerable,  over  the  Ural  Mountains 
to  the  gates  of  Moscow.  Here  he  met  with  bloody 
defeat,  and,  turning  eastward,  subjugated  Cathay 
and  established  his  kingdom  at  Cambaluc.1 

Whereupon  he  laid  up  vast  stores  of  munitions 
against  the  invasion  of  Chipangu,  not  so  much  to  make 
himself  sovereign  of  so  fair  an  isle  as  to  wreak  ven- 
geance upon  his  unnatural  brother. 

"So  bitter  was  my  grandsire's  hatred,"  said 
Kublai  Khan,  "that,  though  I  was  but  a  lad  of  ten 
years  when  he  died,  yet  he  made  me  swear  eternal 
enmity  toward  Yoritomo  and  his  descendants,  till 

1  Jenghis  Khan  placed  under  tribute  a  greater  territory  than  was 
ever  before  subject  to  a  single  sovereign. 


i66  Old  Japan 

the  last  remaining  spawn  of  his  vile  tribe  be  for  ever 
exterminated. 

"One  other  scene,"  quoth  he,  "do  I  remember. 
Some  whiles  after  his  master's  death,  Benkei  bade  me  a 
last  farewell  ere  he  returned  to  avenge  the  murder  of 
the  infant  son  of  Yoshitsune." 

"A  blithe  and  wondrous  tale,  Sire,  I  exclaimed. 
"Indeed  I  marvel  not  that  thou  fain  wouldst  view 
thy  fair  ancestral  land.  When  dost  thou  purpose 
thither  to  set  sail?" 

"This  very  month,"  cried  the  Khan  eagerly,  "thither 
will  I  despatch  an  embassy  demanding  submission, 
wherein,  garbed  as  a  simple  subject,  I  shall  accompany 
them  unknown. " 

"Yet,  Sire, "  I  protested,  "were  it  not  a  most  exceed- 
ing reckless  venture  thus  to  put  thy  life  in  jeopardy? 
Should  these  rascals  penetrate  thy  disguisement  they 
would  tear  thee  limb  from  limb. " 

"  'Tis  for  this  small  peril,"  quoth  he,  "that  the 
notion  liketh  me  well.  I  had  thought,  my  valiant 
Marco,  to  hale  thee  with  me  on  this  quest,  but  if  thou 
hast  no  stomach  for  the  wild  bee's  honey  I  shall  in  no 
wise  upbraid  thee. " 

"Verily,"  I  cried,  "whither  thou  wendest  thither  will 
I;  and,  though  we  be  stung  to  the  quick,  yet  perchance 
we  shall  sip  of  such  honey"  (and  here  I  spake  more 
truly  than  I  wotted)  "as  we  shall  deem  cheaply  pur- 
chased, even  by  the  sting  of  death." 


167 


HOW  WE  CAME  TO  A  HIVE  OF  WILD  BEES;  AND  OF  THE  HONEY 
WHICH  WE  GATHERED 

A  fair  wind  blows.     The  good  ship  goes 

Swift  flying  o'er  the  sea. 
The  sails  uplift  and  clap  their  hands 

In  eagerness  and  glee. 

Thus  came  we  to  Kamakura  the  capital  of  the  Re- 
gent, for  none  might  approach  the  sacred  person  of  the 
Mikado,  and  the  Shoguness,  the  awesome  Lady  Masa, 
on  account  of  her  great  age,  held  herself  in  seclusion. 

The  Khan,  better  to  preserve  his  incognito,  kept  him- 
self in  the  background  and  bade  me  address  the  Regent. 
This  I  did  through  the  medium  of  a  Korean  interpreter, 
not  willing  to  divulge  the  fact  that  I  both  understood  and 
spake  Chipangese. 

When  I  had  concluded,  a  doomful  hush  fell  upon  the 
throng.  Hojo  Tokimune  scrabbled  within  his  beard 
the  whiles  a  deep  scowl  knitted  his  brows. 

A  lean,  fox-faced  councillor  whom  I  particularly 
disaffected,  addressing  the  interpreter,  pointed  at  me 
significantly  and  I  heard  the  whispered  words. 

In  a  flash  I  comprehended  that  my  kingly  bearing 
had  so  impressed  itself  upon  these  gentlemen  that 
they  mistook  me  for  the  Grand  Khan.  Swelling  with 
gratification  and  frowning  haughtily,  I  turned  my  back 
upon  the  person  who  had  so  complimented  me. 


168  Old  Japan 

But  now  the  eyes  of  Tokimune  glared  upon  me,  search- 
ing, suspicious,  and  menacing,  like  a  cat  watching  a 
mouse,  which,  fascinated,  ventures  nearer  and  nearer, 
while  the  crouching  furry  flanks  grow  tense  and  the 
deadly  claws  steal  from  their  sheath  ready  for  the 
spring. 

Then  a  veil  seemed  drawn  over  those  windows 
whence  the  soul  had  momently  peered,  and  he  spake 
in  purring  accents,  bowing  obsequiously  the  whiles. 

"The  illustrious  General  declareth,"  translated  the 
Korean,  "that  had  my  Lord  advertised  him  aforetime 
of  his  purposed  visitation " 

"It  is  my  desire,"  I  made  answer  condescendingly, 
"that  my  entertainment  shall  in  no  wise  differ  from 
that  of  my  envoys." 

The  words  and  mien  of  Tokimune  were  alike  inscruta- 
ble. Smiling  sardonically  he  led  the  way  to  the  garden. 
I  followed  in  blind  incertitude  as  to  what  this  might 
portend. 

My  forebodings  were  confirmed  when  the  Khan 
suddenly  grasped  my  arm: 

'"Ware  thee,  Marco,"  he  cautioned  beneath  his 
breath.  "Hojo  hath  commanded  that  we  be  beheaded. 
For  the  moment  mask  thine  alarm;  but  when  I  give 
the  sign — flee!" 

An  icy  sweat  oozed  from  my  every  pore. 

Tokimune  with  hateful  sneering  face  pressed  close 
upon  me. 


The  Folly  of  the  Khan  169 

' '  Is  the  honourable  Tojin  ill  ? ' *>e  snarled.  ' '  Meseems 
thy  complexion  hath  assumed  the  hue  of  a  green 
olive." 

"Verily,"  assented  the  Khan,  "the  melons  of  which 
my  master  partook  anon  have  engendered  most  damn- 
able gripes.  Needs  must  he  repose  himself  for  a  little 
space.  Request  is  proffered  that  the  august  General 
retire. " 

Bowing  obsequiously  our  host  resumed  his  prome- 
nade. 

Parting  the  foliage  the  Khan  disclosed  a  wall. 
"Mount  upon  my  shoulder  and  leap!"  he  whispered. 

"But  what  of  yonder  side?"  I  gasped. 

"It  can  hold  naught  worse  than  death!"  was  his 
reply. 

In  a  trice  I  gained  the  summit  and,  giving  my  friend 
a  hand,  we  were  over.  Before  us  lay  a  garden  won- 
drous fair.  Crimson  peonies  glowed  like  lanterns  in  the 
bosky  gloom.  A  path  of  stepping-stones  led  to  a  lotus 
pool  upon  whose  marge  stood  a  little  temple. 

Into  that  sanctuary  incontinent  I  rushed.  Within 
its  perfumed  dusk,  to  our  mutual  confusion,  I  found  my- 
self face  to  face  with,  nay  almost  in  the  arms  of  a  tooth- 
some morsel  of  female  loveliness !  With  one  hand  she 
strove  to  gather  her  scanty  raiment  about  her  nude 
white  body  while  with  the  other  she  would  fain  have 
thrust  me  forth. 

Kneeling  I  kissed  her  feet  beseeching,  in  words  that 


170  Old  Japan 

rushed  haphazard  from  frenzied  lips,  somewhat  on 
this  wise: 

"O  Goddess  of  all  beatitude,  have  pity  upon  a 
fugitive  doomed  to  die.  Fountain  of  bliss,  peach  of 
lusciousness,  thy  cheek  is  the  heart  of  a  sea-shell,  thy 
lips  slices  of  ripe  pomegranates,  thy  bosom  a  foam- 
flowered  wave,  thine  arms " 

Here  the  Goddess  stayed  my  transports  in  accents 
that  strove  to  be  severe,  yet,  meseemed,  were  kind : 

"August  Stranger,  cease  thine  ill-timed  importunities ; 
and  tell  me  from  what  peril  thou  dost  flee." 

As  hunters  beating  a  jungle  where  croucheth  a  great 
tiger  so  at  that  instant  there  arose  the  hue  and  cry 
of  my  pursuers. 

Better  to  move  her  compassion,  most  shamelessly 
I  lied:  "Behold  in  me  Kublai,  Khan  of  great 
Cathay,  secretly  come  to  these  shores  for  fame  of  thy 
surpassing  charm.  Now  that  I  have  seen  thee  I  die 
content. " 

"Nay,  thou  shalt  not  die,"  she  whispered,  casting 
over  me  her  silken  robe,  as  there  came  a  loud  knocking 
at  the  door  and  a  disrespectful  hand  wrested  it  wide, 
and  abashed  by  that  celestial  vision  as  swiftly  closed  it 
again. 

A  voice  rose  in  pleading  apology:  "Light  of  my 
eyes,  jewel  of  my  heart,  0  thou  delight  and  torment 
of  my  soul — had  I  known  thou  wert  here  I  would 
have  thrust  my  hand  into  the  flame  rather  than  so 


The  Folly  of  the  Khan  171 

have  affronted  thee.  My  beloved,  my  betrothed,  for- 
give this  outrage  of  thy  modesty " 

But  the  lady  thus  addressed  shrilled:  "Off  with  thee, 
and  take  thy  rude  soldiery  from  my  garden.  Call 
me  no  more  betrothed,  for  I  die  of  shame  and  hatred  at 
thought  of  thee,  thou  mountain  of  vileness,  thou 
demon  of  audacity. " 

With  that,  like  a  whipped  dog,  he  led  his  myrmidons 
from  the  place;  and  we  heard  the  clank  of  their  armour 
dwindle  to  silence. 

Arraying  herself  in  the  robe  with  which  she  had 
beshrouded  my  head,  the  lady  sallied  forth  and  in  a 
while  returned  bringing  sweet  assurance  that  all  were 
indeed  clean  gone.  "Wend  swiftly,"  she  counselled, 
"to  the  seashore  yonder.  There  are  fishing  boats 
whereby  thou  mayst  escape." 

To  the  nearest  of  these  I  prepared  to  swim,  but 
started  back  in  horror,  for,  washed  close  to  shore  by 
the  sluggish  current,  there  rose  and  fell  two  headless 
bodies. 

I  knew  these  mutilated  corpses  for  our  comrades 
and,  sickening  at  the  gruesome  sight,  turned  from 
the  river,  seeking  other  means  of  escape.  Happily  it 
was  close  at  hand,  a  wicket  gate  in  the  wall.  As  I 
discerned  it  I  was  ware  of  a  pack  of  wolf-hounds 
scenting  the  bloody  corpses;  and  faint  with  fear,  I 
sprang  through  the  gate  and  bolted  it  on  the  farther 
side. 


172 


HOW  I  HID  IN  THE  HAZARD  OF  THE  IDOL  DAIBUTSU 

At  Kamakura  in  the  forest  gloom 
O'ertopping  palm  and  pine  in  solemn  guise, 
There  sits  a  brazen  god  serene  and  wise, 
Enthroned  upon  the  golden  lotus  bloom. 
Mysterious,  peaceful,  passionless  as  doom, 
Peering  from  half -closed  lids,  his  slanted  eyes 
Softened  by  sorrows  of  the  centuries 
Gaze  gravely  down  on  garden  and  on  tomb. 

Greeting  with  equal  face  both  joy  and  dole, 
Faint  flickering  shadows  from  the  fronded  palm 
Touch  his  impassive  lips  as  though  he  smiled 
Pitiful,  gentle  as  a  little  child, 
Benignant  Buddha,  god  of  blissful  calm, 
Embodiment  of  all  the  Orient's  soul 

A  towering  tori  guarded  an  avenue  whose  fronded 
palms  shaded  a  mighty  temple. x 

Casting  off  my  sandals  I  reverently  entered.  Through 
shadowy  dusk  and  wreathing  incense,  like  a  giant 
genie,  loomed  before  me  a  golden  idol,  silent,  colossal, 
and  mysterious.  Breathless  with  awe  I  stood  at  gaze, 
so  grand  and  godlike  was  the  giant. 

Suddenly  the  hush  was  broken  by  the  hue  and  cry 
of  my  pursuers.  Trembling  with  terror  I  cast  myself 
upon  my  knees  and  prayed:  " 

"Benignant  Buddha,  succour  a  fugitive  in  woeful 

1  The  Daibutsu,  now  vaulted  only  by  the  sky,  was  anciently  enclosed 
in  a  temple,  destroyed  in  1369  by  a  tidal  wave. 


The  Folly  of  the  Khan  173 

plight.  Suffer  not  these  devils  to  pollute  thy  holy  shrine 
with  my  unworthy  blood.  Thou,  who  gavest  thyself  to 
a  tigress  to  feed  her  famished  cubs,  save  me  who  am  of 
greater  worth  than  a  host  of  tiger  cats!" 

Belling  lustily  the  wolf-hounds  drew  nearer  and 
nearer  till  I  heard  the  stealthy  padding  of  their  feet. 
Then  dallied  I  no  longer  for  vain  orisons  but  ran  for 
very  life.  Round  the  great  Daibutsu  post-haste  I 
sped,  and,  chancing  upon  a  door,  found  myself  within 
his  capacious  carcase,  where,  half  hidden  in  the  gloom, 
dangled  a  welcome  rope. 

Swiftly  I  clomb,  but  not  in  time  to  'scape  the  fore- 
most hound  which  tore  my  gamashes  from  my  calves, 
inflicting  wounds  both  grievous  and  bloody.  Kicking 
lustily  I  freed  myself  from  his  ravenous  fangs  and 
mounted  into  the  mazzard  of  the  god.  Drawing  up 
the  rope,  I  nursed  my  gnawed  shins  and  looked  down 
with  equanimity  upon  the  baffled  brutes  as  they  leaped 
and  yelped,  lolling  their  long  red  tongues  from  which 
dripped  a  frothy  slaver. 

While  I  was  laughing  at  their  discomfiture  there 
entered  the  temple  two  suppliants:  a  bent  old  bonze, 
prating  garrulously  with  the  fair  maiden  of  the  bath, 
who  bore  a  basket  of  meats. 

Sniffing  this  the  curs  swarmed  greedily  about  her. 
Seizing  a  besom  the  old  man,  more  valiant  than  wise, 
belaboured  them  soundly.  Whereupon  the  infuriated 
hounds  sprang  snarling  at  his  throat. 


174  Old  Japan 

Suddenly,  whence  I  know  not,  with  unsheathed 
scimitar,  leapt  the  Khan,  and  with  a  twirl  of  his  flash- 
ing blade,  sliced  me  their  heads. 

"Hast  suffered  scathe,  Stranger?"  he  questioned 
courteously,  his  eyes  the  whiles  drinking  the  maiden's 
beauty. 

"Nay,"  grunted  the  bonze,  "had  this  besom  but 
been  a  halberd,  right  lustily  would  Benkei  have  dis- 
embowelled those  curs." 

Here  I  marvelled,  "So  this  doddering,  dim-eyed 
tonsure  is  the  heroic  henchman  of  Yoshitsune!" 

But  the  Khan  had  eyes  only  for  my  nymph  of  the 
bathing-pool,  whom  he  thus  bespake: 

"Lady,  art  thou  in  sooth  a  mortal,  or  e'en  a  heaven- 
descended  houri  of  Paradise?" 

The  Maiden:  "Noble  Seignior,  I  am  but  a  mortal 
princess,  cleped  Flower  of  the  Orange,  hither  come  in 
quest  of  thine  august  master. " 

The  Khan:  "My  master!  Of  whom  dost  thou 
speak?" 

The  Maiden:  "Verily  of  the  all-puissant  Khan  of 
Cathay,  whom  I  sheltered  from  his  foes. " 

The  Khan:  "Vaunted  that  scurvy  rascal  that  he 
was  the  Emperor?  " 

The  Maiden:  "Truly,  my  lord,  had  he  not  admitted 
it,  his  royal  mien  would  have  betrayed  to  me  his  rank. 
Let  us  straightway  bear  him  these  viands  for  it  is  not 
meet  that  his  imperial  majesty  should  die  of  hunger. " 


The  Folly  of  the  Khan  175 

"That  he  will  not,"  cried  the  Khan,  incontinently 
devouring  a  collop  of  venison,  garnished  with  sea 
slugs.  Thereupon,  perceiving  the  goodly  viands  vanish- 
ing beneath  my  greedy  eyes,  I  descended. 

"Lo,  behold!"  cried  the  Emperor,  winking  at  me 
behind  the  maiden's  back,  "here  cometh  my  noble 
lord  and  master,  the  great,  grand  Khan. " 

Lowlily  I  louted,  "Truly,  noble  Lady,  I  disclaim 
these  paltry  honours,"  I  mumbled  deprecatingly. 

"Eat,  Sire,"  thundered  the  Khan,  stuffing  my  mouth 
with  morsels  of  flesh,  as  he  whispered  me: 

"Hold  thy  tongue,  rascal.  Let  it  appear  that  thou 
art  myself." 

"Beware,  my  Masters,"  Benkei  cried  suddenly, 
"these  be  the  wolf-hounds  of  Tokimune!" 

"Belly  of  Beelzebub!"  I  spluttered,  my  stomach 
turning  at  the  thought,  "this  dainty  venison  is  then 
but  damned  dog-flesh?" 

"Heaven  forbid,"  laughed  the  Khan,  "rather  the 
beasts  I  but  lately  slew. " 

"Yea,  honourable  Sir,"  reiterated  Benkei,  "and 
anon  the  lord  of  the  beasts  will  be  upon  us  to  wreak 
vengeance  for  their  death. " 

But  the  Khan,  who  had  turned  again  to  Orange 
Blossom,  gave  him  no  heed;  and  Benkei  besought  me 
anxiously: 

"I  pray  thee,  good  Sir,  aid  me  to  cast  their  carcases 
in  the  river." 


176  Old  Japan 

"That  will  I  gladly,"  I  replied;  but  Orange  Blossom 
cried  out : 

"Thou  art  wounded!  See,  good  Sir,  thy  master 
bleedeth!" 

"Nay,  'tis  but  a  scratch,"  I  shrugged,  and  shoulder- 
ing a  hound  I  trudged  after  Benkei. 

Of  a  sudden  armed  men  sprang  upon  me  crying: 
"'Tis  he  whom  we  seek,"  and  binding  my  limbs  they 
bore  me  to  a  cave,  whose  mouth  was  stockaded  with 
great  logs  chained  stoutly  each  to  other. 


Within,  a  fire  of  coals  burned  upon  a  forge  as  in  a 
farrier's  smithy  and  grievous  instruments  of  discom- 
fiture, pincers,  pulleys,  goads,  and  their  like,  lay  littered 
about.  Holding  my  head  in  place  with  a  great  pronged 
fork,  two  Etas  bound  me  upon  a  plank  and  stripped 
my  feet  for  the  bastinado. 

Thus  I  lay  in  agonized  suspense  until  the  arrival 
of  Ho  jo  Tokimune  and  his  councillors,  who  took  their 
seats  on  cushions,  laid  upon  a  raised  platform  at  the 
end  of  the  apartment. 

"Cursed  Mongol,"  he  hissed,  "slayer  of  my 
beauteous  dogs,  spying  monkey,  confess  the  in- 


The  Folly  of  the  Khan  177 

fernal  schemes  which  thou  dost  meditate  against  this 
country." 

"I  am  no  Mongol,"  I  retorted,  "but  a  noble  Vene- 
tian gentleman  cleped  Marco  Polo,  fallen  in  by  mis- 
chance with  these  accursed  Tartars." 

"Liar!"  he  exclaimed,  giving  me  a  stinging  slap 
upon  the  cheek  with  his  fan,  "the  truth  shall  be  forced 
from  thee.  Bid  the  torturer  enter  and  apply  the 
moxa!" 

With  that  an  executioner,  whose  face  was  blackened 
with  charcoal,  stepped  from  behind  a  screen  and,  lifting 
a  pot  of  molten  copper  from  the  fire,  placed  it  beside 
me.  I  felt  the  heat  rising  therefrom  but  it  scorched 
me  not  so  much  as  the  pitless  glare  of  Tokimune's 
evil  eyes. 

"Whelp,  wilt  thou  die  inch  by  inch  under  tor- 
ture, or  \  by  a  swift  and  merciful  stroke?  If  the 
latter,  confess  and  thy  raw  wounds  shall  have  other 
anointing." 

"Have  mercy,  dreadsome  potentate,"  I  besought. 
"  I  have  told  thee  the  truth. " 

"The  moxa!"  he  commanded,  "and  if  that  looseth 
not  the  beast's  tongue  give  him  to  drink  of  thy  hot 
liquor." 

With  that  the  executioner  drew  from  out  the  forge 
a  white-hot  metal  rod  and  thrust  it  hissing  upon  my 
lacerated  limbs;  the  whiles  Tokimune  laughed  derisively 
at  my  agonized  howls.  But,  as  my  tormentor  forced 


178  Old  Japan 

open  my  jaws,  holding  a  steaming  ladle  above  my  face, 
Tokimune  cried:  "Hold,  let  him  not  yet  drink  that 
draught  lest  he  be  not  able  to  answer  further  inquisi- 
tion." 

As  he  spake  I  heard  a  light  step,  then  respect- 
ful sibilations  such  as  greet  an  honoured  guest, 
and  the  voice  of  the  Princess  Orange  Blossom  rang 
forth. 

"Reckless  man,  dost  thou  put  to  torture  the  monarch 
of  a  mighty  realm  who  hath  honoured  our  land  by 
visiting  it  nebon?1  Know  that  thy  guest  is  the  great 
Khan  of  Tartary.  Wherefore  do  I  counsel  thee,  release 
and  entreat  him  honourably,  that  he  forgive  thee  thine 
offence." 

Tokimune  regarded  her  with  sullen  suspicion.  "How 
earnest  thou  by  this  knowledge?"  he  demanded. 

Imperiously  she  tossed  her  head.  "Not  yet  am  I 
thy  wife  to  endure  thine  inquisition.  Only  to  the 
Ama  Shogun  will  I  make  answer!" 

Red  waxed  his  face  as  the  setting  sun.  "Doubt 
not,"  he  muttered,  "that  the  Shoguness  shall  have 
full  knowledge  of  thy  deeds.  Torturer,  loose  the 
prisoner's  bonds,  but  let  him  not  flee  this  dungeon! 
Assuage  his  burns  with  oil,  for  he  must  not  perish 
without  the  command  of  the  Ama  Shogun!" 

Thus  speaking  he  departed  leading  with  him  the 
Princess. 

1  Nebon,  incognito. 


The  Folly  of  the  Khan  179 

Whereupon  the  torturer  wiped  from  his  face  the 
charcoal,  and  to  my  great  amaze  I  beheld— the 
Khan! 

Whereat  I  waxed  exceeding  wroth:  "Serpent  that 
I  nursed  in  my  bosom,  fiend  that  I  deemed  my  friend, " 
I  vituperated,  "why  hast  thou  thus  maltreated 
me?" 

"Softly,  softly,"  he  expostulated.  "When  thou 
wert  carried  to  this  place,  with  gold  1  bribed  the  torturer 
that  thus  I  might  save  thee.  I  did  but  cauterize 
thy  wounds,  fearing  the  cur  that  mangled  thee  was 
mad." 

"But  wherefore  wouldst  thou  have  seared  my 
throat  with  molten  copper,  seeing  the  curs  bit  not  my 
tongue?" 

"Friend,  I  did  but  feign.  Had  Hojo  persisted  thou 
shouldst  have  drunk  but  hot  water.  But,  an  thou  hast 
stomach  for  other  sport  'twere  well,  methinks,  to 
profit  by  the  laxness  of  our  host.  Benkei  waiteth 
without.  There  be  but  a  few  poltroon  guards.  Thy 
hands  are  unhurt.  Meseems  we  are  a  match  for  the 
rogues." 

Arming  myself  with  a  great  sledge,  I  followed.  But 
ere  we  gained  the  portal  the  sentries  fell  upon  us.  The 
entry  was  so  narrow  that  all  could  not  win  at  us  at  the 
same  time.  The  greater  number  the  Khan  transfixed, 
the  rest  put  I  gently  to  sleep  with  my  hammer.  More- 
over it  was  no  fragile  besom  but  a  mighty  halberd 


i8o  Old  Japan 

with  which  Benkei  pierced  their  bellies  and  scythed  their 
heads. 

And  thus,  night  having  fallen,  we  sought  shelter 
once  more  within  the  mazzard  of  the  Buddha. 


VI 


OF    THE  MARVELLOUS  MANNER  IN  WHICH  WE  ESCAPED 

"Needs  must,"  cried  the  Khan,  "that  we  seek  our 
ship  and  flee  this  accursed  land.  Bestir  thyself,  Ben- 
kei, and  fetch  us  steeds." 

"In  all  the  temple  compound  is  but  one,  the  Sacred 
Horse,  which  none  but  the  Mikado  may  bestride," 
demurred  the  bonze. 

'T  faith  it  will  suffice, "  grinned  the  Khan.  "Fetch 
it  forthwith. " 

But  Benkei  remained  obdurate.  "Who  art  thou, 
Stranger,  that  I  should  further  imperil  my  head  for 
thy  safety?"  he  demanded  doggedly. 

Whereat  I  shouted:  "Fool,  thou  didst  boast  thyself 
the  henchman  of  Yoshitsune.  Know  then  that  thou 
beholdest  now  his  august  grandson!" 

With  loud  in-sucking  of  breath,  Benkei  kowtowed  at 
the  feet  of  the  Khan,  humbly  kissing  his  sandals. 

When  he  had  left  us  the  Khan  spake:  "Friend 
Marco,"  he  confided  timorously,  "whilst  thou  didst 
leave  me  yestreen  with  that  lovely  lady  she  made  known 


The  Folly  of  the  Khan  181 

to  me  her  parentage.  She  is  the  Princess  Orange  Blossom, 
granddaughter  of  Yoritomo.  Yet  forgat  I  the  blood 
feud  between  us  and  wooed  her  warm  and  tenderly;  nor, 
meseemed,  was  the  maid  unmindful  of  my  suit.  Where- 
fore I  will  not  leave  her.  Mount  thou  the  steed  and 
seek  the  ship.  Here  will  I  bide  till  I  devise  some 
scheme  whereby  to  take  her  to  Cathay. " 

"Nay,  that  thou  shalt  not,"  I  opposed  him  strenu- 
ously, as  Benkei  led  forth  the  Mikado's  steed.  "Away 
while  yet  there  is  time." 

"Then  mount  behind  me,"  commanded  the  Khan, 
setting  foot  in  stirrup. 

"My  wounded  legs  will  not  suffer  me  to  grip  the 
charger's  flanks,"  I  urged.  "Since  I  can  neither  run 
nor  ride  needs  must  I  hide.  Wait  thou  at  Miyajima, 
thither  will  I  fetch  thy  lady. " 

"Here  in  sooth  is  friendship,"  cried  the  Khan. 
"May  the  god  who  watcheth  over  love-smitten  fools 
protect  thee, "  and  flinging  the  bonze  a  purse  he  gave 
spur  to  his  steed. 

Now  as  I  stood  racking  my  brains  how  to  fulfil 
my  promise  came  a  boy  with  a  pannier  of  victuals  from 
the  Lady  Orange  Blossom.  Therein  she  had  con- 
cealed a  letter  advising  me  that  our  flight  from  the 
torture  chamber  had  been  discovered  and  entreating  us 
to  return  with  all  speed  to  our  own  land.  But  of  this 
I  wotted  not  till  after,  for  Tokimune,  deeming  that 
through  her  he  might  compass  our  discomfiture,  had 


1 82  Old  Japan 

supplanted  the  missive  by  another  which  read  thus 
wise: 

"  In  vain  throughout  the  endless  night 

I  wait  thy  coining,  Dear, 
Until  the  moon's  wan  silvery  light 

Pales  on  the  morning  clear. 

Therefore,  divine  Master,  at  moonrise  meet  me  by  the 
bathing-pool.  There  will  I  grant  thee  thy  heart's  desire." 

"Thinketh  Tokimune  to  befool  me  thus  simply?" 
I  laughed,  penetrating  his  schoolboy  device.  "This 
from  Orange  Blossom,  the  very  soul  of  purity?  Nay,  it 
cannot  be." 

But  soon  thereafter,  her  face  aglow  with  an  un- 
dreamed joy,  came  Orange  Blossom  to  the  temple. 

"I  found  thy  letter,"  she  faltered,  her  eyes  abased, 
"but  someone  spyeth  by  the  pool,  so  came  I  hither." 

"My  letter!  I  sent  thee  none, "  I  blurted  in  amaze- 
ment. 

"Didst  thou  not  bid  me  forsake  all  for  thee?"  she 
questioned  trembling.  "Then  in  sooth  am  I  shamed. " 

"Heaven  forbid,  dear  Lady,  that  I,  a  hopeless  fugi- 
tive, should  bid  thee  share  my  peril.  Yet  hath  mine 
enemy  wrought  me  a  blessing  in  bringing  thee. " 

Then  passionately  I  strove  to  persuade  her  to  journey 
with  me  to  my  friend. 

"What  friend  is  this,"  she  flashed  scornfully,  "who 
deserteth  his  sovereign?" 


Miyajima 


"  A  harvest  moon  silvered  the  sacred  isle  as  we  drifted  through  the 
water-gate  " 

(From  a  water-colour  by  Frere  Champney) 


The  Folly  of  the  Khan  183 

"Sweet  Princess,"  I  cried,  "I  can  no  longer  conceal 
the  truth — he  is  the  Emperor!" 

"Why  didst  thou  deceive  me?"  she  reproached 
sadly. 

' '  I  did  but  play  his  part  to  save  him  from  Tokimune, " 
I  pleaded.  "In  pity,  merciful  Goddess,  despise  me 
not." 

"Despise  thee!"  she  laughed,  her  eyes  agleam  with 
delight.  "Thou  art  the  noblest  friend  I  e'er  have 
known.  List, "  she  urged,  "yestreen  for  love  of  thee  I 
broke  with  Tokimune.  Today  I  go  to  the  Shoguness. 
Even  now  am  I  upon  my  way,  and  will  bear  thee  with 
me." 

As  she  spake  the  Princess  threw  off  her  broidered  robe 
and  tired  me,  willy-nilly,  therein. 

"Give  me  thy  dirk,"  she  commanded.  In  a  twin- 
kling she  had  severed  her  glorious  tresses,  and,  coiling 
them  about  my  head,  fastened  them  with  jewelled  pins, 
and  with  a  fragment  of  charcoal  pencilled  me  arching 
eyebrows. 

"Lo,  thou  art  now  a  lovely  maid!"  she  laughed. 
"Hold  thy  fan  thus,  and  thou  wouldst  deceive  Hojo 
himself." 

"And  thou  a  most  adorable  boy!"  I  exclaimed,  for 
she  had  donned  my  doublet  and  hose. 

"Haste  thee  to  my  norimon,"  she  cried,  "for  time 
is  that  we  were  upon  our  way. " 

Bestowing  myself  therein  I  chuckled  complacently: 


184  Old  Japan 

"Marco,  thou  art  surely  the  favourite  of  Fortune,  for 
in  sooth  the  Princess  loveth  thee. " 

But  while  I  thus  laughed  within  myself,  suddenly, 
with  a  clatter  of  hoofs  and  clank  of  mail,  the  troop  of 
Tokimune  galloped  up. 

Mistaking  me  for  the  Princess,  Hojo  gallantly 
saluted : 

"Vouchsafe,  my  Adored  One,  that  I  may  escort  thee 
on  thy  journey. " 

"I  will  befool  him  to  my  heart's  content, "  thought  I, 
simpering  maidenwise. 

"Paragon  of  Beauty,  I  die  for  love  of  thee,"  he 
pleaded. 

"And  I  for  thee,  my  Hero, "  I  sighed  amorously. 

Thereupon  he  sprang  from  his  steed  and  burst  into 
the  norimon.  Babbling  words  of  endearment  he 
crushed  me  in  a  passionate  embrace. 

Shrieking  in  outraged  modesty  I  buffetted  him  a 
resounding  smack. 

Agog  with  stupefaction  he  glared  at  me  a  moment 
and  was  gone. 

On  we  journeyed  o'er  vale  and  mountain  till  we 
reached  the  Ujigawa.  In  the  midst  of  the  turbulent 
stream  the  litter  was  suddenly  overturned. 

Encumbered  by  my  unaccustomed  draperies  I  was 
sinking,  when  Hojo  plunged  into  the  seething  cur- 
rent, and,  as  I  was  on  the  point  of  drowning,  dragged 
me  to  the  shore. 


The  Folly  of  the  Khan  185 

Fearing  for  my  discovery,  Orange  Blossom  ran  to  me 
and  set  straight  my  wig,  which  was  sore  awry. 

I  vomited  forth  firkins  of  water  while  he  gloated 
upon  my  throes. 

When  we  left  the  mainland  for  the  sacred  isle  Toki- 
mune  bade  us  farewell. 

"Doubt  not  that  I  shall  seek  thee  again,"  he  smiled 
ironically,  "then  thou  wilt  not  escape. " 

VII 

MOON   GAZING  AT  MIYAJIMA.      CAT  AND  MOUSE 

So  beauteous  is  thy  face,  O  autumn  moon, 
I  fain  would  gaze  thereon  the  livelong  night. 

TEITOKU. 

A  harvest  moon  silvered  the  sacred  isle  as  we  drifted 
through  the  water-gate. 

The  locks  of  Orange  Blossom  gleamed  like  the  aureole 
of  a  madonna. 

"  Miyajima!"  I  mused  regretfully;  "our  journey  is 
nearly  ended." 

Methought  a  cloud  shadowed  the  serene  brow  of  my 
companion.  "Then  must  we  part?"  she  sighed. 

"Nay,"  I  remonstrated,  "oft  shall  we  meet  upon 
the  ship." 

"How  may  that  be?"  she  queried,  perplexed. 


1 86  Old  Japan 

"Wouldst  thou  not  for  love's  sake  sail  to  far 
Cathay?"  I  urged. 

"For  love's  sake,"  she  smiled  assent,  lifting  her  joy- 
brimmed  eyes  to  mine. 

Whereat  I  kissed  her  mouth  in  true  Venetian  fashion. 
She  lingered  a  moment,  then  drew  back  affrighted. 

Then,  abashed  that  I  had  forgotten  my  friend,  I 
burst  into  his  praise,  pleading  his  suit  with  all  my 
wonted  eloquence. 

But  the  hand  in  mine  lay  limp  and  chill.  The  love- 
light  faded  from  her  eyes.  Her  lips  moved  tremulous- 
ly, striving  in  vain  to  smile. 

"Bring  the  Khan  on  the  morrow,"  she  said  coldly. 
"Our  little  comedy  is  ended. " 

THE  TEMPLE  OF  FUJIN 

Frail  fluttering  bamboo  fingers  beckon  me 
And  a  great  bell  intones  its.  mellow  boom, 
Reiterant,  mysterious,  as  doom, 
Bidding  me  bare  my  feet  and  silently 
Enter,  where  fringes  of  linked  filigree, 
Like  rays  of  sunshine,  filter  through  the  gloom, 
And  fill  with  golden  glory  all  the  room, 
Blazoned  in  cinnabar  and  lazuli. 

An  aged  priestess  calmly  sits  within 

This  wondrous,  gleaming,  gem-encrusted  shrine, 

O'ershadowed  by  a  carven  baldachin, 

Whose  silken  ropes,  hanging  in  heavy  line, 

Drip  blood-red  tassels  through  the  incense  mist, 

The  Shinto  symbol  for  Rome's  eucharist. 


"  Niched  in  its  gate  a  gruesome  idol,  the  Wind  God  Fujin,  brandished  the 
sack  of  the  tempests  " 


1.8    S- 

31  J,  ^ 

~  &  - 

11-3 


•, 
I? 


The  Folly  of  the  Khan  187 

In  the  mists  of  morning  we  mounted  a  rock-hewn 
staircase  to  the  Temple  of  the  Winds.  Niched  in  its 
gate  a  gruesome  idol,  the  Wind-God  Fujin,  brandished 
the  sack  of  the  tempests. 

We  entered  the  glorious  interior,  at  the  extremity  of 
which  stood  a  gem-encrusted  shrine. 

Unseen  hands  slid  the  screen  aside,  disclosing,  on  a 
great  dragon-throne,  a  little,  wizened  crone. 

Orange  Blossom  crept  forward  on  her  hands  and 
knees  and  bumped  her  dainty  head  upon  the  floor,  the 
whiles  she  kowtowed  obsequiously. 

Bent  and  shaking  the  Shoguness  rose. 

"Foreign  Devil,"  she  shrilled,  "thou  art  the  Mogul 
monarch,  come  hither  in  disguise.  Knowest  thou  not 
the  penalty  is  death?  Nathless,  for  that  the  Princess 
hath  besought  me,  I  pardon  thy  folly.  Return  for  ever  to 
thine  own  land!" 

"Hear  me,  gracious  Priestess,"  besought  the  Khan. 
"No  foreign  devil  I,  but  thy  countryman,  a  Minamoto 
of  thy  very  clan." 

The  Lady  Masa  descended  from  her  throne  and 
peered  into  his  visage  through  age-dimmed  eyes.  With 
trembling  fingers  she  traced  the  profile  of  the  Khan. 

"'Tis  Yoshitsune,"  she  shrieked,  "come  to  avenge 
his  murdered  son!" 

On  her  knees  she  sank  beseeching  piteously:  "Spare 
me,  mighty  Monarch,  even  as  I  saved  thy  helpless 
babe  from  the  wrath  of  Yoritomo.  Hearken  to  my  tale. 


1 88  Old  Japan 

Upon  the  night  thy  child  was  born,  gave  I  birth  to  a 
son,  for  whose  father's  crimes,  alas !  the  gods  sent  dead 
into  the  world.  Unknown  to  all  I  changed  my  babe 
for  thine,  nourished  it  with  these  breasts,  and  reared 
him  for  my  son." 

Reverentty  he  raised  the  weeping  woman  and  placed 
her  upon  the  throne : 

"Noble  Priestess,  the  spirit  of  Yoshitsune  doth  bless 
thee  for  thy  wondrous  love.  Grant  of  thy  gracious 
clemency  yet  another  boon!  Give  me  the  Princess 
Orange  Blossom  to  be  my  wife  and  Empress!" 

The  aged  Shoguness  lay  pallid,  silent,  and  unheeding. 

With  a  heartrending  wail  the  maiden  ran  to  her  side, 
and  chafed  the  cold  hands,  crooning  the  whiles  words 
of  vain  endearment. 

' '  She  heareth  not, ' '  murmured  the  Khan.  ' '  Her  soul 
hath  found  Nirvana." 

Of  a  sudden  there  arose  a  mighty  tumult.  Priests 
and  attendants  rushed  hither  and  thither  wailing 
piteously  as  they  perceived  that  their  beloved  Mother- 
Priestess  was  indeed  dead.  Verily  they  would  have  torn 
us  limb  from  limb  but  that  a  commanding  voice  cried : 
"Hold!  Leave  the  miscreants  to  me, "  and  Tokimune, 
armed  cap-a-pie,  strode  into  the  hall. 

Orange  Blossom  fell  at  his  feet,  beseeching  mercy, 
while  the  Khan,  with  bared  blade,  rushed  upon  his 
enemy. 


The  Folly  of  the  Khan  189 

Calmly  Hojo  folded  his  arms,  reproved  him  for 
drawing  sword  in  that  sacred  place,  and  bade  us  follow 
to  the  terrace. 

Fool, ' '  he  scoffed  derisively, '  'from  the  day  when  first 
we  met  have  I  followed  thine  every  move,  playing 
with  thee  as  cat  with  mouse.  An  it  pleased  my  fancy 
I  might  have  seized  and  crucified  thee.  But,  Son  of 
Yoshitsune,  rather  will  I  fight  thee  in  fair  combat 
to  the  death." 

"Willingly,"  cried  the  Khan.  His  heart  throbbed 
with  a  great  elation.  He  was  drunk  with  love. 

"I  will  carve  my  name  upon  thy  heart,"  he  boasted 
confidently. 

They  charged  like  stags  battling  for  a  doe. 

With  a  lightning  flash  Hojo  severed  the  crest  of  his 
antagonist,  baring  his  cheek  to  the  bone.  "She  will  not 
love  thy  visage  when  I  have  done,"  he  jibed  triumph- 
antly. 

Fast  and  faster  they  circled,  in  a  furious  dance  of 
death.  Many  a  famous  fight  have  I  witnessed,  but 
never  one  like  this. 

Little  by  little  his  breath  came  short  and  the  Khan's 
lips  grew  set  as  he  knew  his  hour  had  come. 

Suddenly,  with  a  mighty  stroke,  Hojo  cleft  through 
mail  and  vambrace,  slicing  his  arm  from  shoulder  to 
v/rist.  The  sword  fell  from  his  nerveless  grasp. 

Setting  foot  thereon  Tokimune  scornfully  com- 
manded: "Mouse,  get  thee  gone  to  thy  hole!  But  if 


190  Old  Japan 

e'er  thou  dost  venture  forth,  I  swear  by  the  tempests  of 
Fujin,  I  will  devour  thee  utterly. " 

VIII 

THE  MAGNIFICENT  MISADVENTURE 

Remembrance 

A  wistful  rune  of  perished  melodies, 
Sweet  aftermath  of  music  longsyne  fled, 
Lurks  in  my  inner  ear,  as  sea-shells  dead, 
Still  chalice  in  their  souls  the  ocean's  sighs. 
Across  the  night  of  yesteryear  you  rise, 
To  bless  my  life  with  gladsome  memory 
Of  days  rose-scented,  made  of  love  and  thee, 
And  sweet  allurements  of  thy  wild-flower  eyes. 

Then  all  my  being  trembles  in  a  prayer 

That  once  again  before  my  spirit  flee 

I  yet  may  look  upon  thy  semblance  fair, 

Still  shrined  so  deeply  in  my  secret  soul, 

And  live  a  little  while  with  love  and  thee. 

Then  come  what  may !     My  happiness  were  whole. 

Now  you  must  know  that  the  Khan's  flagship  lurked 
hard  by.  Whereupon  by  dint  of  valorous  swimming  we 
gained  it  without  further  mischance,  and,  scudding  before 
the  favouring  monsoon,  sailed  in  safety  to  Cathay. 

A  twelvemonth  passed.  His  heart  still  rankling  with 
revenge,  the  Khan  determined  to  return  with  a  vast 
armada,  and  ravish  the  isles  of  Chipangu,  if  the  only 


The  Folly  of  the  Khan  191 

plunder  he  might  bear  thence  were  the  peerless  Princess 
Orange  Blossom. 

Wherefore  he  levied  a  mighty  army  of  horse  and  foot 
and  burden-beasts,  huge  engines  of  siege  and  vast  sup- 
plies. 

When  I  recounted  how,  during  the  siege  of  Modena, 
by  means  of  a  mangonel,  I  had  slung  a  long-defunct 
ass  into  the  city,  poisoning  the  enemy  by  its  deadly 
stench,  he  was  filled  with  admiration  and  delight;  and 
bade  me  fabricate  a  mighty  mangonel  such  as  we 
Venetians  do  nominate  mal  vezina  (bad  neighbours), 
which  would  vomit  boulders  of  tremendous  weight. 

Therewith,  in  a  mock  battle,  I  cast  a  thousand  pig- 
skins filled  with  muddy  water  upon  the  dumbfounded 
foe,  drenching  them  most  foully,  and  putting  them 
to  ignominious  rout. 

This  moved  the  Emperor  to  unseemly  merriment, 
for  well  he  wotted  that  the  Chipangese  boasted  no 
such  fabrications,  and  with  our  "bad  neighbours"  we 
would  belabour  them  most  mercilessly.  Wherefore  he 
commanded  that  each  of  his  ships  should  be  fur- 
nished with  a  mangonel. 

Four  hundred  fighting  junks,  war-galleons  and  lesser 
ships  innumerable,  manned  by  one  hundred  thousand 
warriors  and  twice  as  many  mariners,  he  gathered 
for  the  venture. 

Now  it  fortuned  moreover  that  the  Venetians  having 
fallen  into  dispute  with  the  Genoese,  my  kinsmen  had 


192  Old  Japan 

equipped  a  galley  of  an  hundred  oars  and  as  many 
lances.  Desirous  that  I  should  return  to  take  command 
they  voyaged  to  Cathay,  and  would  have  haled  me 
home  but  that  the  Khan  would  hear  none  of  it,  entreat- 
ing me  most  handsomely  to  lead  his  vast  enterprise. 
Whereat  like  an  oat-fed  war-horse  eager  for  the  fray 
I  joyously  consented. 

So  confident  was  the  Khan  of  victory  that  he  took 
with  him  a  train  of  gold-caparisoned  elephants,  where- 
with to  wend  in  triumph  to  the  capital.  In  each 
ship  was  one  bestowed.  A  pack  of  fearsome  tigers, 
with  which  he  was  wont  to  hunt,  fetched  he  also, 
swearing  that  they  should  gnaw  the  bones  of  Tokimune. 

But  of  that  Mongol  horde,  which  boldly  started 
Down  the  green  hills  athwart  the  sea  to  sail, 
A  merry  crew  that  from  Cathay  departed, 
Returned  a  sorry  handful  broken-hearted, 
Famished  and  spent,  to  tell  the  shameful  tale. 
And  so  befell,  and  if  ye  list  my  story, 
Unto  the  fleet  as  I  shall  now  relate, 
Disaster  dire  and  murder  red  and  gory, 
A  harvest  reaped  of  two  dead  brothers'  hate. 

In  the  Serpent  month  of  the  year  Fire  (June,  1281), 
the  great,  grand  Khan  with  a  mighty  fleet  embarked 
upon  his  magnificent  misadventure. 

Having  sailed  serenely  across  the  Yellow  Ocean, 
we  were  rounding  the  rock-bound  isle  of  Tsushima, 
when  the  fighting-junks  of  Tokimune  fell  upon  us, 


The  Folly  of  the  Khan  193 

like  hounds  upon  a  stag.  Keen  were  their  fangs,  yet 
with  caliber  and  mangonel  we  thrust  them  off,  goring 
many  and  driving  the  remnant  yelping  to  their  kennels. 

Swiftly  we  followed  and  drew  up  our  ships  in  battle 
array  eager  for  the  conflict.  But  behold!  so  far  as  the 
eye  could  see  the  countryside  teemed  with  myriads  of 
Chipangese  like  swarms  of  crawling  ants  building 
a  barricade  along  the  shore. 

Into  their  wattled  earthworks  we  flung  pots  of 
burning  pitch,  setting  them  aflame.  Whereat  the 
panic-stricken  soldiery  sought  safety  in  the  open. 

Lashing  together  a  long  chain  of  rafts  we  made  a 
goodly  bridge,  across  which  the  Khan's  horsemen  rode 
swiftly  to  the  land.  Making  the  welkin  ring  with  most 
unholy  clamour,  they  charged,  clashing  their  gleaming 
scimitars  upon  the  fleeing  foe. 

With  my  Venetian  lancers  mounted  upon  mad  little 
zebras,  I  spurred  furiously  after.  Misliking  the  pipes 
and  kettledrums  the  malicious  creatures  suddenly 
balked,  refusing  to  budge.  Perceiving  this,  Tokimune 
and  his  hatamotos  dashed  between,  cut  off  our  advance, 
and  surrounded  the  Khan. 

Thereupon  our  misbegotten  beasts  took  bits  in  teeth 
and  scampered  willy-nilly  in  mad  stampede,  plunging, 
kicking,  and  cavorting  into  the  very  thick  of  the  fray. 

Seizing  the  imperial  banner,  I  brandished  it  in  the  face 
of  Tokimune. 

"Cat,"  I  cried,  "thy  mouse  hath  quit  his  hole!" 


13 


194  Old  Japan 

Gnashing  his  teeth,  Hojo  slashed  at  me  impotently, 
his  blows  raining  upon  my  zebra's  head.  The  infuriated 
little  devil  turned  instant  tail  and,  striking  out  with  its 
heels,  belaboured  his  charger  so  merrily  that  it  bolted, 
bearing  its  humiliated  rider  incontinent  from  the  field. 

And  so  befell  that  we  slew  the  base  idolators  with 
gruesome  slaughter  and  carried  the  Khan  in  triumph  to 
his  flagship. 

Full  glorious  renown  gained  I  for  this  paltry  bicker- 
ing— "The  hardiest  feat,"  thus  weened  my  master, 
"that  ever  knight  essayed."  Wherefore  he  invested 
me  with  the  high  exalted  order  of  the  Flying  Zebra. 

The  morn  dawned  wan  and  sultry;  from  a  far-off 
monastery,  doomful  and  dolorous,  boomed  a  mighty 
bell.  The  sea,  a  tawny  green  like  the  mottled  coat  of  a 
serpent.  Beneath  the  calm,  satin  surface  it  heaved 
with  rhythmic  undulations.  There  was  no  wind,  yet 
from  the  heavens  came  a  muttering  weird  and  ominous, 
the  wrathful  drums  of  the  Thunder  God. 

It  seemed  to  my  bemused  fancy  that  the  spirits  of 
Taira  warriors  were  rising  from  their  watery  tomb  to 
wreak  vengeance  upon  the  grandson  of  Yoshitsune. 

And  now  a  cloud,  like  unto  a  mighty  dragon,  came 
winging  through  the  east. 

Drawing  in  the  oars  we  furled  the  sails  and  lashed  the 
helm,  holding  the  junk's  nose  to  the  wind.  The  hissing 
spume  leapt  high  above  our  towering  masts.  The 


The  Folly  of  the  Khan  195 

boom  of  the  surges  was  like  ceaseless  salvos  of  artillery. 
They  bit  and  tore  at  embankments,  scattering  huge 
boulders  as  they  were  tiny  pebbles.  Only  flashes 
of  lightning  revealed  to  one  another  our  terrified 
faces,  for  a  blackness  of  night  covered  the  face  of  the 
deep. 

The  dumb  beasts  below,  frantic  with  fear,  burst 
their  tethers,  and,  careering  amidships,  drove  the  af- 
frighted sailors  to  the  hold.  Scarce  had  they  escaped 
when  a  great  whirling  column  of  water  burst  upon  us 
with  a  tremendous  shock,  flooding  the  decks,  washing 
masts  and  gear  overboard,  and  all  but  swamping  the 
ship. 

Then  came  a  lull  in  the  tempest.  The  Khan  roared 
to  his  crew,  but  not  a  Tartar  dared  to  venture  forth. 

Crashing  down  his  gates  the  elephant  ran  amuck 
upon  the  deck,  trumpeting  and  spouting  geysers  of 
water.  The  zebras  clustered  about  him,  biting  and 
kicking  in  fury  unimaginable. 

The  huge  beast  responded,  trampling,  goring,  and 
throttling  them  with  his  powerful  trunk.  Ever  and 
anon  the  rolling  of  the  junk  would  cause  him  to  fall, 
crushing  them  beneath  his  monstrous  bulk,  until  the 
remainder  plunged  headlong  into  the  sea. 

Blundering  about  in  blind  confusion,  the  elephant 
wrenched  the  hatchway  from  its  hinges,  thrust  in  his 
trunk,  and  dragged  forth  a  cage  of  tigers,  which  he 
rolled  like  a  ball  about  the  ship.  On  a  sudden  it 


196  Old  Japan 

burst  and  the  enraged  beasts  sprang  upon  him,  sinking 
claws  in  eyes  and  teeth  in  throat. 

Then  ensued  such  tumult  as  hell  had  broken  forth, 
causing  us  all  rare  and  pleasant  disport. 

But  now  the  tempest  suddenly  burst  upon  us  with 
greater  fury.  Certes  I  would  have  been  washed 
adrift  but  that  I  clung  to  the  bulwark  for  very  life. 
At  the  same  time  someone  (the  Khan,  as  I  thought)  em- 
braced me  from  behind,  digging  his  nails  into  my  ribs, 
with  a  force  to  which  Hojo's  clutch  in  the  Ujigawa  was 
but  as  the  blandishments  of  a  gentle  maid.  Thus  he 
clung  while  in  the  inky  darkness  I  beheld  and  heard 
naught  though  he  gibbered  incoherently  in  mine  ear. 
Then  I  felt  the  beating  of  his  great  heart  and  the  rasp 
of  his  bristling  beard  upon  my  neck.  Then  my  nostrils 
were  assailed  by  a  foul  and  loathly  odour,  obscene  and 
most  unsavoury. 

Grasping  the  hands  which  were  causing  me  much 
discomfiture  by  their  vise-like  grip  I  saw  that  they 
were  mittened  in  fur  and  suddenly  comprehended 
that  I  was  clasped — not  in  the  embrace  of  my  friend, 
but  by  the  claws  of  the  dreadsome  tiger! 

Whereat  I  instantly  gave  myself  up  for  dead; but, 
as  the  brute  did  not  molest  me,  I  presently  perceived 
that  it  clutched  me,  not  with  murderous  intent  but  in 
deadly  fear. 

A  sudden  flash  quivered  in  the  sky,  and  a  ghastly 
shriek  burst  from  the  Khan  as  he  staggered  feebly  to 


•a 

Ml 

I 

TJ 


"  A  pirate  bold  of  a  galleon  old, 


A  buccaneer  and  a  ruthless  brute" 

(Hokusai) 


The  Folly  of  the  Khan  197 

his  feet.  Small  wonder;  he  had  clung  to  the  tiger,  mis- 
taking it  for  me! 

A  freezing  chill  succeeded  to  the  sultry  tropic  heat. 
Shivering  and  benumbed  the  beast  slowly  relaxed  his 
grasp  and  was  swept  into  the  sea. 

The  typhoon  now  fell  upon  us  with  renewed  fury, 
churning  the  inky  waters  into  frothing  suds,  whirling 
us  round  in  a  dizzy  maelstrom  mounting  ever  higher 
in  a  toppling  wall,  which  threatened  each  instant  to 
crush  the  ship.  Above,  great  swirling  clouds  joined 
in  the  mad  dance,  gyrating  like  ghouls  about  the  grave 
engulfing  the  doomed  vessel. 

Suddenly  a  tremendous  upheaval  lifted  the  junk 
in  air,  held  it  suspended  for  a  moment,  then  hurtled 
it  back  into  the  sea. 

As  some  mighty  Cyclops  dashes  the  heads  of  his 
victims  each  against  his  fellow,  so  the  whirlwind  crashed 
our  helpless  ships  one  upon  another  and  beat  them 
into  shreds. 

With  a  shudder  like  that  of  a  dying  man,  the  ship 
gave  up  its  spirit  and  swirling  in  the  mighty  whirlpool 
sank  into  the  deep.  Mingled  with  the  roar  of  the 
tempest  there  rang  in  my  ears  a  weird,  unearthly  wail, 
the  death-throes  of  a  myriad  drowning  men.  Then 
a  great  darkness  engulfed  me. 

How  long  I  lay  tossed  midst  foam  and  flotsam,  the 
sport  of  the  pitiless  billows,  I  know  not,  but  at  last 
beneath  my  foot  I  felt  solid  substance  and  fell  swooning 


198  Old  Japan 

upon  the  strand.  At  my  feet,  famished  and  spent, 
lay  the  Khan,  and  hard  by,  reeking  under  the  noonday 
sun,  the  corpse  of  the  tiger.  Near  and  far  the  beach 
was  a  tangled  mass  of  jetsam  and  dead  bodies,  our  dear 
comrades,  chill  and  lifeless,  alas!  a  scene  most  dire  and 
lamentable.  Of  all  our  great  armada  not  a  ship  re- 
mained ! 

From  the  heavens  glared  down  a  red  and  merciless 
sun.  Afar,  reverberated  ever  the  awesome  boom  of 
the  temple  bell,  while  cold  and  relentless  a  band  of 
wreckers  calmly  looted  the  dead. 

All  day  we  skulked  in  the  marshes.  When  night 
fell,  quitting  our  hiding  we  quested  the  coast  hoping  to 
find  some  friendly  craft.  At  last,  to  our  unbounded 
delight,  safe  at  anchor  in  a  sheltered  inlet  we  beheld 
my  gallant  galley,  from  whose  masthead  flaunted 
defiantly  the  lion  of  St.  Mark ! 


IX 


HOW,    BY  MEANS   OF  A    MANGONEL,    A    MOST    UNEXPECTED 

PROJECTILE  WAS  CAST   AT  THE  FEET  OF  MY 

LADY,   AND  I   CAME   UNTO  MY  OWN 

My  Venetian  mariners  welcomed  us  with  shouts  of 
delight,  rejoicing  beyond  measure  at  our  miraculous 
deliverance. 

Clapping  me  on  the  shoulder,  the  Khan  laughed. 
"Mindest  thou,  Friend,  the  temple  islet  wherein  thou 


The  Folly  of  the  Khan  199 

didst  go  moon-gazing  with  the  lovesome  Orange 
Blossom?" 

"Marry,  that  I  do,  Master,"  I  sighed.  "In  the 
chart  of  my  memory  is  that  isle  indelibly  bemapped." 

"This  very  night,"  he  declared  vehemently,  "shall 
we  voyage  thither.  It  likes  me  to  do  some  small  moon- 
gazing  upon  my  own  behalf. " 

The  tempest  had  abated.  In  the  shadows  of  the 
night  we  stole  forth  under  the  very  poop  of  a  great 
fighting  junk. 

A  Daimio  armed  cap-a-pie  strode  to  the  bulwarks 
and  peered  malignantly  upon  us.  Though  his  face 
was  shaded  by  his  visor  I  could  not  but  recognize  his 
lambent,  catlike  eyes. 

"Aha!"  he  cried,  "the  mouse  hath  'scaped  the  tem- 
pest but  by  the  thousand  hands  of  Kwannon  he  shall 
not  'scape  the  cat!" 

Heedless  of  his  threat,  eagerly  we  sped  through 
the  night  upon  our  amorous  quest. 

A  wan  moon  waned  in  the  west.  Dim  and  ghostly 
loomed  the  sacred  tori.  Beyond,  upon  a  pine-fringed 
promontory  rose  the  scythe-like  roofs  of  the  Temple 
of  Fujin. 

"Miyajima,  the  shrine  of  my  pilgrimage!"  cried 
the  Khan,  as  he  leapt  into  the  pinnace  and  bounded 
over  the  foam  like  a  hound  unloosed  from  leash. 

Sorely  against  my  will  I  kept  my  loveless  watch, 
waiting  peevishly  for  his  return.  A  grove  of  cedars 


2oo  Old  Japan 

concealed  my  galley  from  the  channel,  where  I  sud- 
denly spied,  sailing  swiftly  toward  the  isle— a  Chipangese 
war-junk.  In  a  twinkling  I  resolved  to  steal  through 
the  landward  passage,  outspeed  the  junk,  and  advertise 
my  master  of  his  peril. 

But  the  fairway  was  shallow  and  the  shore  sur- 
rounded by  marshes.  How  to  overcome  this  obstacle 
would  have  taxed  the  cunning  of  a  less  imaginative 
mind,  but  my  native  resourcefulness  stood  me  in  good 
stead. 

Mounting  my  trusty  mangonel,  I  trained  it  assidu- 
ously upon  the  midst  of  the  marsh  and,  bestowing 
myself  therein  as  projectile,  resolutely  let  fly. 

Like  Icarus  soared  I  gloriously  through  the  heavens, 
and,  as  ingloriously,  fell ;  but,  dropping  in  the  soft  and 
squashy  mire,  rose  foully  besmirched  but  in  no  wise 
scathed.  By  good  fortune  I  had  calculated  with  per- 
fect nicety  the  trajectory  of  my  flight,  else  had  I  dashed 
out  my  brains  upon  the  adamantine  rocks. 

Here  I  encountered,  plying  his  peaceful  craft,  a 
heaven-sent  fisherman.  By  dint  of  sundry  fisticuffs  I 
persuaded  him  to  divest  himself  of  all  his  habiliments, 
viz.,  a  broad-brimmed  hat,  a  straw  rain-coat,  and  a  crate 
of  eels.  Armed  with  these  weapons  I  boldly  clambered 
up  the  rock-hewn  stairway  to  the  Temple  of  the  Winds. 

Well  was  it  that  my  mud-caked  visage  constituted  a 
sure  incognito,  for  the  terrace  swarmed  with  samurai. 
There  also,  to  my  astonishment  and  consternation,  I 


The  Folly  of  the  Khan  201 

beheld  my  master  and  Tokimune  confronting  each  other 
in  the  same  defiant  attitudes  as  a  twelvemonth  since. 

The  Khan  stared  dazedly  at  his  rival  as  though  he  saw 
him  not,  his  courage  crushed  by  sudden-blighted  hope. 

Tokimune  laughed  pitilessly. 

"Before  thee,  Princess,  stand  two  men,"  sneered 
the  victor.  ' '  Choose  thou  between.  Never  shalt  thou 
taunt  me  that  I  took  to  mine  arms  an  unwilling 
bride.  Say  the  word  and  ye  shall  this  hour  be  wedded 
and  have  safe-conduct  to  Cathay.  But,  an  thou 
lovest  him  not,  will  I  tear  his  heart  from  his  carcase 
and  cast  it  quivering  at  thy  feet. " 

Dumb  with  horror  Orange  Blossom  stared  from  one 
to  the  other.  Methought  that,  had  the  Khan's  eye 
glanced  the  slightest  appeal,  she  would  in  sheer  pity 
have  sacrificed  herself. 

Instantly,  he  answered  for  her. 

"The  Princess  hath  made  choice,"  he  said,  and  I 
knew  that  there  was  no  fear  in  the  whitened  face. 
"Even  now  hath  she  trampled  upon  my  heart. " 

Tokimune  stood  amazed,  scarce  believing  his  senses. 
At  last,  "Hast  thou  in  sooth  cast  off  this  rogue?"  he 
asked. 

"Aye,"  assented  Orange  Blossom  fearlessly,  "yet, 
for  that  he  is  my  kinsman,  he  must  go  unhindered  to 
his  land." 

Tokimune  hesitated,  loth  to  forego  his  long-waited 

revenge. 


2O2  Old  Japan 

"The  safe-conduct,"  the  Princess  demanded  imperi- 
ously. 

Whirling  upon  his  heel  he  snarled:  "Begone  fool,  ere 
I  repent  my  mercy  and  slay  thee.  Advertise  the 
Khan,  thy  master,  of  my  triumph.  'Tis  not  for  love 
but  hate  I  spare  thee!"  Then  to  Orange  Blossom 
he  murmured  exultingly:  "This  night  shall  I  claim 
my  reward,"  and  thus  speaking  clattered  adown  the 
rock-hewn  stairway. 

Never  had  the  Khan  seemed  to  me  so  great  a  hero  as 
now  in  his  humiliation  and  despair.  He  paused  for 
an  instant. 

"Farewell,  lost  Blossom,  mayest  thou  have  ceaseless 
joy  with  him  thou  lovest, "  he  smiled  bravely. 

Her  face  flushed  until  it  belied  her  name. 

"Bring  him  to  me, "  she  pleaded,  "for  it  is  not  Toki- 
mune,  but  Marco  whom  I  love!" 

Dumbfounded  by  this  unhoped  pronouncement  I 
let  fall  my  crate  of  eels  which  now  squirmed  and 
wriggled  slimily  about  my  lady's  ankles. 

"Remove  thy  reptiles, "  she  shrieked,  "get  thee  gone 
to  the  scullery ! ' '  Suddenly  she  stood  at  gaze.  ' '  Those 
eyes!"  she  gasped,  "thou  art,  forsooth,  no  fisher." 

"Thy  pardon,  gem-bright  maid,"  I  parried  courte- 
ously, "verily  a  fisher  who  dareth  death  for  one 
surpassing  pearl. " 

With  that  she  laughed  for  joy,  and  leaping  into 
my  mire-bedaubed  arms  yielded  her  lips  to  mine 


The  Folly  of  the  Khan  203 

in  true  Venetian  fashion.  Thence  haled  she  me  to  a 
feast  of  purification,  so  that  my  last  hour  upon  the 
isle  of  Chipangu  ended  as  my  first,  in  the  torrid 
torrents  of  a  bath ! 

AFTERWORD 

Now  ye  shall  understand,  if  it  like  you,  that  at 
our  home-coming  we  were  wedded  with  due  festivities 
in  the  duomo  of  San  Marco,  which  could  scarce  con- 
tain our  admiring  and  loving  friends,  also  so  great 
a  convoy  of  galleys  and  gondolas  led  us  to  our  house  one 
would  have  thought  our  barge  was  the  Bucentaur 
wherein  the  doge  was  wont  to  wed  the  sea. 

Assoiled  am  I  by  holy  Church  of  all  that  lay  upon 
my  conscience:  to  wit  the  pilfering  of  his  betrothed 
from  Tokimune,  who  was  a  parfit,  gentil  knight,  not 
devoid  of  courtesy  to  his  foes;  and  yet  more  especial 
the  like  scurvy  trick  played  upon  my  most  beloved 
friend,  the  great  grand  Khan,  though  methinks  he 
would  have  served  me  a  like  turn  but  for  his  impotent 
insuffisance. 

Some  small  solace  hath  he  in  his  garden  of  an  hundred 
wives  and  sundry  other  sweethearts,  though  none, 
nor  all  together,  could  surpass  my  one  sole  Orange 
Blossom. 

A  camel's  load  of  presents:  rubies,  peridots,  and 
diamonds;  raiment  of  orfrays  set  with  orient  pearls; 
chalices  of  jade  and  crystal,  together  with  a  moult 


204  Old  Japan 

of  such  like  trifles,  conveyed  he  me  by  caravan  under 
escort  of  the  very  same  mad  merchants  that  fetched  me 
to  Cathay. 

These  gentlemen  I  entertained  with  carnival  and 
blithe  disports,  painting  the  good  town  a  glorious 
vermilion,  so  that  the  Council  haled  them  over  the 
Bridge  of  Sighs,  wherefrom  I  was  at  sorry  costage  to 
ransom  them. 

Thus  I,  a  simple  gentleman  adventurer  who  mean- 
dered in  many  strange  lands  and  oceans,  consorted  with 
kings  and  emperors,  and  wrought  many  a  fair  deed  of 
arms,  am  come  at  last  to  the  end  of  my  peregrinations. 
And  so,  honoured  Reader,  of  your  courtesy  repeat  for 
me  an  Ave  Maria  that  so  the  good  Lord  may  shrive 
me  of  this  my  mendacious  galimatias,  that  in  his 
holiness  I  yet  may  live. 

Written  by  me,  Marco  Polo,  in  my  palazzo  in  the 
Contrada  of  San  Giovanni  Chrisostomo,  Venice,  the 
year  of  grace  one  thousand  two  hundred  and  ninety- 
five. 

'Tis  Christmas  Eve.  Upon  the  moonlit  balcony 
stands  my  child-wife,  bearing  upon  her  fragile  shoulder 
a  bouncing  bambino.  About  her  placid  forehead,  like  a 
golden  aureole,  gleams  a  starry  diadem. 

From  gliding  gondolas  belated  revellers  look  up  in 
amaze  and  cross  themselves,  deeming  that  they  behold 
the  Madonna. 


The  Folly  of  the  Khan  205 

OKA  SAN 

Honourable  Little  Mother 

Elaborately  robed,  a  dainty  doll, 
In  flowing  Kimono  and  Obi  square, 
Fantastically  coiffed,  her  lustrous  hair 

Crowned  by  a  gem-encrusted  aureole. 

A  babe,  with  mouth  agape,  like  some  small  troll, 
Bestrides  her  bended  back  with  little  care, 
As  on  her  wooden  clogs  she  patters  here  and  there, 

Beneath  a  stork-emblazoned  parasol. 

Dream- painted  butterfly  on  golden  wing 

She  seems,  this  elfin  fluttering  dame, 
Or  some  more  exquisite  and  sacred  thing, 

A  Raphael  rare,  stepped  from  an  altar-frame 
This  Eastern-world  Madonna,  slim  and  mild 

Child-Mother  with  her  heavy  clinging  child. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

THE  THREE  DEVILS 

I 
THE    BUCCANEERS 

A  pirate  bold  of  a  galleon  old 

In  the  trough  of  the  tropic  sea, 
With  a  swarthy  crew  aroam  for  loot, 
A  buccaneer  and  a  ruthless  brute, 
Is  the  lawless  life  for  me. 

Chorus: 

With  a  yo,  ho,  ho!  and  a  brandished  blade 

Here's  a  toast  to  the  jolly  rover! 
A  braver  lad  ne'er  bussed  a  maid 

Than  he,  the  wide  world  over. 

As  we  plunder  ingots  of  sunken  gold, 

And  drink  of  the  life  so  free 
Of  a  pirate  bold  on  a  galleon  old, 

In  the  trough  of  the  tropic  sea, 

Chorus. 

After  BERTON  BRALEY. 
206 


The  Three  Devils  207 

HTHE  Pirate  stood  before  me,  as  ugly  a  brute  as  has 
•*•      ere  been  my  ill  fate  to  encounter. 

Slit  eyes,  lewd  and  suspicious,  leered  above  his 
shapeless  nose ;  the  moustachios  of  an  angry  cat  bristled 
above  his  cruel,  sensual  lips;  and  swine's  jowls  sagged 
in  folds  of  fat  beneath  his  brutal  chin. 

His  mighty  paunch  girt  by  a  leathern  baldric  was 
draped  in  a  soiled  Mandarin  robe,  revealing  beneath  its 
folds  the  boots  of  a  samurai.  In  his  hairy  hand  he 
brandished  a  bared  blade. 

Such  was  the  formidable  figure  that  met  my  gaze  as 
I  straightened  from  salute. 

' '  Flames  of  Fudo !  what  have  we  here  ? "  he  thundered. 

"A  fugitive  from  justice  who  seeketh  passage  in 
thine  honourable  galleon, "  I  faltered. 

"Bowels  of  Bishamon!"  he  bellowed,  "thou  darest 
to  seek  the  ship  which  all  men  flee?" 

"Is  not  this  the  galleon  of  Mendez  Pinto?"  I 
demanded. 

' '  By  all  the  demons  the  junk  is  mine.  I  slaughtered  its 
filthy  crew,  save  Pinto  whom  I  spared  to  work  the  guns." 

My  jaw  fell  in  consternation.  "Thou  art  Kosenya, 
King  of  the  Pirates!"  I  stammered. 

He  laughed  contemptuously. 

"Thou  blind  puppy,  thou  sucking  pig,  what  crime 
couldst  thou  commit?" 

"I  slew  a  bully  in  a  quarrel,"  I  shrugged,  "and  am 
like  to  slay  another  an  thou  mendest  not  thy  manners. " 


208  Old  Japan 

"The  bantam  cock  can  ruffle  his  crest,"  he  grinned, 
"mayhap  his  spurs  will  grow." 

"  Meanwhile  Mate,  since  we  are  short-handed,  shackle 
him  to  the  captive. " 

They  dragged  me  aft,  where,  chained  to  the  wheel, 
Pinto  bent  to  his  task,  great  beads  of  bloody  sweat 
trickling  from  a  gash  on  his  forehead. 

He  regarded  me  curiously.  "Methinks  the  devil 
tricked  himself,  when  he  made  thee  pirate, "  he  smiled, 
noting  my  samurai  attire. 

"As  pretty  a  pirate  as  thou, "  I  retorted,  "for  if  thy 
doublet  were  less  tattered  one  might  think  thee  a 
Seignior. " 

"A  Seignior  am  I  in  sooth,"  he  bridled.  "Let  any 
say  that  Fernando  Mendez  Pinto,  lord  of  two  castles  in 
Portugal,  and  erstwhile  Captain  of  this  vessel,  is  no 
gentleman  and  I  will  slit  his  lying  tongue. " 

"First  let  us  slice  the  Pirate,"  I  suggested  suavely. 

"Good!"  he  cried,  "thou  art  a  lad  after  mine  own 
heart.  Remain  with  me  and  I  will  make  thy  fortune. " 

"Prate  not  of  fortune,"  I  protested,  "but  contrive 
some  scheme  whereby  we  may  escape  from  this  den  of 
devils." 

"That  will  I,"  he  assented,  "but  ere  I  go,  Kosenya 
shall  pay  me  well  for  his  treachery. " 

Then  he  told  me  of  an  isle  cleped  Calempuy,  where 
seventeen  kings  had  been  entombed  in  golden  sarco- 
phagi, filled  with  treasure  and  gems  innumerable. 


The  Three  Devils  209 

"Thither  we  shall  sail, "  he  laughed,  "to  plunder  this 
golden  loot." 

After  long  questing  we  sighted  the  treasure  isle. 
Through  the  dim  dawn-mist  the  wind  brought  a  scent 
of  flowers.  A  parakeet  winged  by  with  a  mournful 
screech.  A  purplish  blur  darkened  the  horizon,  glow- 
ing slowly  with  the  sun. 

"  Ylha  Encantada,  the  Enchanted  Island!"  exclaimed 
Pinto. 

A  drift  of  white  butterflies,  fluttering  seaward,  folded 
their  weary  wings  and  fell  like  snow-flakes  on  the  deck. 

We  anchored  the  galleon  and  beached  our  boats  on  a 
palm-fringed  strand,  beyond  which  the  temple  walls 
glinted  jasper  and  jade  in  the  shimmering  sunlight ;  then 
plunged  into  a  dusky  forest  where  mossy  creepers 
trailed  from  writhen  limbs  and  wan,  white  orchids  out- 
stretched their  beckoning  fingers.  Myriad  birds  of 
lustrous  plumage  chanted  within  the  bosky  gloom,  and 
winged  from  palm  to  palm  like  flying  flames.  Monkeys 
stoned  us  with  cocoanuts  and  scurried  chattering  to  the 
tree-tops. 

At  length  we  came  to  a  goodly  avenue  guarded  by 
great  green  monsters  leading  to  the  golden  temple. 

Its  dim  interior  gleamed  with  gold  and  gems  through 
rifts  of  drifting  incense.  We  fell  to  our  ruthless  task, 
rifling  the  shrines  and  looting  tombs,  tearing  tiaras, 
crowns,  and  necklaces  from  the  mummied  bodies  till 
we  had  laden  the  boats  to  the  gunwale. 


210  Old  Japan 

Returning  for  a  last  foray  a  blare  of  pipes  and  cymbals 
smote  upon  our  ears,  as  a  wedding  procession  wended  to 
the  temple. 

On  seeing  us  the  bridegroom  advanced  and  greeted 
Kosenya  courteously.  Behind  him  stood  the  bride, 
smiling  timidly  and  clasping  a  rude  doll,  in  token  that 
her  child-life  was  ended. 

Drawn  by  her  beauty  I  ran  to  the  little  bride :  "Ware 
thee!"  I  whispered,  intent  to  save  her  from  Kosenya. 

Tossing  me  an  azalea  blossom:  "My  name,"  she 
smiled  winsomely. 

Suddenly,  without  warning,  Kosenya  discharged  his 
pistol  in  the  face  of  the  bridegroom,  who  fell  wounded 
to  the  death.  A  volley  rang  from  his  followers,  as  the 
amazed  Koreans  sprang  upon  us  with  spears  and  axes. 

Thinking  to  bear  her  to  safety  I  caught  up  the  bride; 
but,  misinterpreting  my  action,  the  frantic  natives  tore 
her  from  my  arms. 

Back  to  the  beach  they  drove  us  inch  by  inch.  A 
lance  bit  my  shoulder  and  my  temple  bled  from  a  sling- 
shot. 

Grasping  the  gunwale  of  a  boat  I  strove  to  push  off, 
but  a  burly  Korean  tripped  me  and  I  fell  heavily  to  the 
strand. 

Kosenya  and  his  cut-throats  with  arquebus,  pistol, 
and  cutlass,  charged  in  a  demoniac  onrush.  Yelling 
and  cursing  they  slashed,  hacked,  and  thrust,  fighting 
the  Koreans  into  the  sea. 


The  Three  Devils  211 

As  I  staggered  blindly  to  my  feet  all  was  a  chaos  of 
naked  writhing  men.  Mistaking  me  for  a  native  a 
pirate  gripped  my  throat  in  an  iron  vise.  After  a 
mighty  tussle  I  threw  him  off  and,  plunging  into  the  sea, 
struck  out  blindly  for  Pinto's  voice.  Then  darkness 
fell  over  me  till  a  hand  drew  me  from  the  water. 

"Did  the  maid  win  free?"  I  demanded  eagerly. 

Pinto  shook  his  head  sorrowfully.  "She  might  have 
escaped  had  she  not  clung  to  her  husband's  body,  but 
Kosenya  bore  her  to  the  ship  and  flung  her  senseless 
into  his  cabin. " 

Drunk  with  sake  the  crew  fell  to  singing  and  capering 
like  maniacs.  In  sooth  there  were  but  three  sober  men 
upon  the  ship;  Pinto,  a  little  lascar,  and  myself. 

The  galleon  rode  before  a  light  breeze  over  a  satin  sea. 
One  by  one  the  pirates  sank  into  sodden  slumber. 

Suddenly  a  heartrending  scream  broke  the  stillness. 

Little  deeming  the  fate  that  lurked  in  the  silent 
shadows  Kosenya  came  from  the  cabin.  Going  to  the 
mast  he  took  down  the  cat-o'-nine  tails  with  which  he 
was  wont  to  lash  mutinous  sailors. 

My  head  swam  as  I  realized  that  he  would  flog  the 
maid  into  submission. 

With  a  bound  I  was  upon  him  and  drove  my  dirk 
through  his  flabby  throat. 

Groaning  piteously  he  sank  in  a  huddled  heap. 
Seizing  his  pistols  I  dragged  him  to  the  bulwarks  and 
flung  him  headlong  in  the  sea. 


212  Old  Japan 

"Azalea,"  I  cried,  "thou  art  free,"  but  she  gave  no 
answer. 

Covering  the  lascar  with  a  pistol  I  commanded  him 
to  unshackle  Pinto,  who  cried  out  in  amaze : 

"Where  is  Kosenya?" 

"In  the  depths  of  hell,"  I  muttered,  whereat  he 
flung  his  arms  about  me  and  laughed  like  a  child. 

II 

MY  STAR 

Surpassing  fair  she  seemed,  the  light  of  a  lantern 
glinting  upon  the  bridal  tiara  crowning  her  blue-black 
hair. 

A  trustful  smile  gleamed  from  her  fawn-like  eyes  and 
a  faint  flush  flooded  her  cheeks,  as  she  sank  upon  her 
knees  pressing  her  forehead  to  the  floor : 

"August  Lord,  thou  didst  slay  that  monster,"  she 
murmured.  "Forever  shall  I  be  thine  humble  slave." 

"Nay,  thou  shalt  be  my  little  daughter,"  I  smiled, 
enraptured  by  her  elfin  beauty.  She  was  but  a  mere 
child,  exquisite  as  a  humming-bird,  in  her  dainty 
broidered  robes  and  jewelled  ornaments. 

When  I  proposed  returning  to  her  own  country  she 
shook  her  head  with  a  wistful  smile  which  I  could  not 
fathom. 

She  pattered  about  the  ship  the  spoiled  pet  of  all  on 
board.  Even  gruff  Pinto  returned  from  the  forests,  his 


The  Three  Devils  213 

arms  laden  with  orchids  which  he  suspended  in  cocoanut 
shells  from  the  cabin  roof,  making  a  bower  of  beauty. 
In  the  evening  she  would  sing  ditties  to  the  accom- 
paniment of  a  koto,  'neath  the  flowery  tropic  starlight. 

The  flower  of -the  sky  is  the  Star 
That  blooms  in  the  garden  of  Night. 

The  star  of  the  earth  is  a  Flower 

That  flames  ever  fragrant  and  bright. 

But  when  with  the  dawn  skies  grow  clear, 

And  fadeth  the  flower  of  the  sky, 
The  Star  of  the  earth  drops  a  tear 

Of  the  dew  from  its  sorrowful  eye. 

BANSUI  Tsucmo. 

"Little  Flower,"  I  smiled,  "soon  shall  we  come  to 
Nippon,  mine  own  land!" 

' '  The  land  of  my  Star  is  mine ! "  she  echoed. 

"Flower  of  my  Heart, "  I  laughed,  "we  will  drink  the 
nuptial  sake;  for  with  all  my  soul  I  love  thee. " 

With  the  dawn  we  anchored  'neath  the  green-clad 
hills  of  Oita. 

Here  I  fell  in  with  an  old  friend,  the  youthful  daimio 
Odo  Nobunaga,  who  was  afterward  to  stand  us  in  good 
stead.  He  listened  eagerly  to  my  converse  but  little 
answered,  concealing  a  mort  of  shrewdness  behind  his 
little,  slanted  eyes.  Much  he  marvelled  at  our  fire- 
arms for  ne'er  before  had  he  witnessed  the  might  of 
gunpowder. 


214  Old  Japan 

When,  upon  a  hunt,  I  despatched  a  wild  boar  he  was 
filled  with  admiration ;  and  his  delight  knew  no  bounds 
as  I  courteously  presented  him  with  my  arquebus. 
Methinks  he  foresaw  how  by  that  same  "Devil's  Dust" 
he  would  one  day  overcome  the  Fighting  Monks. 
But  of  this  in  due  time.  Suffice  it  to  recount  that  he 
purchased  our  cargo  for  many  times  its  value,  paying 
therefor  in  good  gold  bullion. 

Longing  for  Azalea  I  took  my  leave  and  hastened  to 
the  harbour. 

A  vague  foreboding  oppressed  me  as  I  noted  that  the 
crew  were  already  hoisting  sail. 

I  sprang  into  a  sampan  urging  the  boatman  to  his 
utmost.  By  dint  of  great  effort  we  breasted  the 
breakers  and  gained  the  ship.  Catching  a  rope  I 
swung  myself  to  the  deck,  only  to  be  confronted  by 
the  threatening  gun  of  Kosenya. 

The  arquebus  blazed!  The  flash  scorched  my  eyes, 
a  ball  grazed  my  scalp,  and  I  fell  unconscious  on  the 
deck. 

A  sharp  lash  of  the  cat  brought  me  to  my  senses, 
as,  my  wrists  triced  to  the  mast,  I  winced  under  the 
ruthless  blows  of  the  Pirate. 

"So,  thou  didst  think  to  slay  me,"  he  laughed,  "to 
steal  my  ship  and  my  mistress!" — driving  home  each 
word  with  a  lash.  "Ne'er  shalt  thou  behold  her  more, 
for  I  sold  her  to  a  tea-house!" 

Pinto  lay  bleeding  in  the  scuppers,  bound  hand  and 


The  Three  Devils  215 

foot  and  gagged  with  a  thole-pin.  Kosenya  kicked  him 
into  unconsciousness  and  only  refrained  from  killing  me 
for  the  pleasure  of  seeing  me  suffer. 

This  living  death  dragged  on  for  days.  Taunted, 
flogged,  starved,  I  suffered  the  tortures  of  the  damned. 
Nor  was  my  physical  suffering  to  be  compared  with  the 
mental  anguish  which  ceaselessly  beset  me.  Day  and 
night  I  was  haunted  by  the  eyes  of  Azalea  looking 
upon  me  with  pitiful  reproach.  My  heart  was  rent 
with  fear  lest  she  had  suffered  some  nameless  fate,  and 
my  conscience  lashed  me  with  whips  of  remorse.  I 
longed  to  grip  Kosenya  by  the  throat  and  wrest  his  evil 
soul  from  his  loathsome  body;  but  the  Pirate  read  my 
purpose  in  my  eyes  and  stood  ever  on  his  guard. 

It  was  the  lull  between  Monsoon  and  Trades. 

The  heat  became  intense.  There  was  no  wind.  The 
sails  drooped  limply  from  the  spars.  The  sea  shone  in 
blinding  calm. 

Drop  by  drop  the  water  dwindled,  till  we  were  driven 
to  slake  our  thirst  with  the  death-giving  brine. 

Then  broke  out  a  deadly  pestilence,  spreading  like 
wild-fire  through  the  death-doomed  ship.  One  by  one 
the  plague-stricken  mariners  perished  and  we  gave 
them  to  the  sea. 

Pinto  lingered  between  life  and  death  murmuring 
paternosters.  Kosenya  lay  in  his  cabin  swearing  oaths 
foul  and  blasphemous. 

At  last  I  was  stricken.    Barbs  darted  through  every 


216  Old  Japan 

nerve  of  my  body.  My  throat  was  a  raging  furnace, 
my  brain  a  flaming  Bedlam.  I  lay  on  the  deck  shivering 
and  burning  by  turns,  watching  sharp-finned  sharks 
disporting  in  the  green  and  purple  sea.  Then  delirium 
fell  upon  me.  I  fell  down  an  unfathomable  gulf,  down, 
down,  unendingly.  I  dreamed  that  the  eternal  waters 
closed  above  me  and  prisoned  me  in  hell. 

It  seemed  to  my  disordered  fancy  that  the  spirit  of 
Azalea  rose  from  the  deep  in  flaming  vestments  and 
called  me  to  her  rescue.  A  great  gulf  of  fire  yawned 
between  us,  across  which,  upon  a  bridge  of  burning  coals 
I  ran. 

Of  a  sudden  beneath  my  naked  feet  the  fiery  embers 
became  as  the  velvet  petals  of  a  dew-sprent  rose.  The 
leaping  flames  were  transformed  to  fragile  lilies,  through 
whose  fragrant  bloom  Azalea  peered  with  a  smile  of 
celestial  peace,  murmuring  tenderly: 

"Through  death  to  life;  through  bitter  strife  to  love 
unutterable ;  through  winter  night  to  ceaseless  light  and 
bliss  beyond  believing." 

I  dreamed  that  she  had  gone  the  unknown  way, 
whence  there  is  no  returning. 

MY    STAR 

She  walks  the  high,  untrodden  ways 

Where  dwelleth  all  delight. 
Fair  as  a  star  her  lovesome  face 

A-gleam  upon  the  night. 


Francis  Xaviei 


"  Within  his  eyes  abides  celestial  light  " 

Portrait  from  an  oil  painting,  made  in  1552,  in  the  church  of  Bom 

Jesus,  Goa 
("Arabia,  Egypt  and  India,"  by  Isabella  Burton) 


"  A  shot  rang  out  as  Nobunaga  galloped  to  our  rescue" 

(Hokusai) 


The  Three  Devils  217 

Her  petaled  lips  like  roses  were. 

Smiles  blossomed  in  her  eye, 
A  breath  of  music  followed  her 

As  she  fled  swiftly  by. 

Since  when  in  loneliness  I  wait, 

Unwitting  how  or  why; 
And  knock  upon  the  door  of  fate 

'Neath  a  relentless  sky. 

But  ne'er  again  her  starry  grace 

Will  greet  my  eager  sight; 
She  walks  the  high,  untrodden  ways, 

Where  dwelleth  all  delight! 

Then  all  was  still  save  for  the  babbling  of  a  hidden 
brook  whose  welcome  waters  laved  my  brow  with  cool 
refreshing  streams. 

The  rain,  the  blessed  rain  had  come ! 

I  drew  in  deep  breaths  of  healing  and  slept  the  sleep 
of  a  child. 

With  sunrise  the  storm  ceased.  A  sapphire  sky  gleamed 
through  swirling  draperies  of  mist.  A  light  breeze  had 
arisen,  but  there  was  none  to  hoist  the  sagging  sails. 

Presently  I  heard  a  rhythmic  beat  of  oars  throbbing 
nearer  and  nearer,  then  voices  raised  in  altercation: 

"Go  not  on  board,  Father,  I  beseech  thee,  the  ship  is 
accursed!" 

' '  I  follow  my  Master  who  descended  even  into  hell  to 
seek  and  to  save, "  replied  a  resolute  voice. 

A  calm,  angelic  face  bent  over  me,  a  strong  but 


2i 8  Old  Japan 

gentle  hand  caressed  my  brow ;  and  yet  I  knew  that  it 
was  no  vision,  for  my  delirium  was  past  though  I  was 
still  so  spent  I  scarce  could  speak. 

With  what  little  strength  I  could  muster  I  warned 
him:  "Touch  me  not,  Father,  for  I  am  stricken  of  the 
plague!" 

"Nay,"  the  priest  protested,  "the  Lord  hath  called 
thee  to  new  life,  for  the  former  things  have  passed 
away. " 

III 

OUT  OF  THE  DEPTHS 

Francis  Xavier 

Out  of  life's  dread  and  melancholy  gloom, 
Like  falling  star-dust  in  the  silent  night 
Lighting  its  darksome  vasts  for  our  delight, 
Springeth  a  stainless  flower  of  perfect  bloom. 
The  glint  of  dawn  is  on  his  knightly  plume, 
Within  his  eyes  abides  celestial  light, 
His  lips  breathe  Faith,  seen  with  eternal  sight 
That  fears  not  death  nor  dust  of  earthly  tomb, 

Nor  doubt  nor  pain  he  knows,  nor  vain  desire. 
Scorning  life's  little  lusts,  his  spirit  free 
Treadeth  ethereal  pathways  passionless, 
Greeting  the  unseen  goal  with  fearlessness, 
His  heart  a  quenchless  flame  of  living  fire, 
Lit  from  the  altar  of  eternity. 

Again  I  slept,  how  long  I  know  not,  and  waking 
gazed  about  me  in  amaze.  I  lay  in  a  sunny,  white- 


The  Three  Devils  219 

walled  chamber,  through  whose  open  archways  I  caught 
a  glimpse  of  a  palm-shaded  cloister.  A  line  of  snow- 
white  pallets  stretched  away  in  endless  vista,  and  black- 
robed  monks,  with  noiseless  tread,  ministered  gently  to 
my  needs. 

It  was  the  hospice  of  Malacca,  built  upon  a  rock-bound 
islet  for  the  succour  of  the  shipwrecked. 

Here,  like  an  angel  of  mercy,  there  came  to  me  each 
morning  the  blessed  Father  Francis.  To  the  tenderness 
of  a  maiden  he  united  the  valour  of  a  knight.  Like  a 
young  staghound  he  was  spare  and  clean  of  limb. 
Slender,  strong,  and  wiry,  a  stranger  to  sloth  and  ease. 
The  little  lusts  of  life  for  him  had  no  appeal.  The  pomp 
of  courts,  delusions  of  wine,  witchery  of  women,  delights 
of  the  table  all  were  naught.  Only  the  vision  of  the 
spirit  realized  in  service  was  to  him  the  very  breath  of 
life. 

His  thin,  firm  lips  and  placid,  lofty  brow  proclaimed 
the  anchorite;  but  the  flaming  eyes  and  square-cut 
jaw  betokened  a  relentless  will  that  knew  neither  fear 
nor  defeat. 

To  him  I  confessed  my  broken  life  and  great  dismay. 

With  loving  patience  he  comforted  me,  promising 
forgiveness  through  repentance. 

I  confided  my  love  for  Azalea;  how  she  had  loved  and 
trusted  me,  and  told  him  how  my  unwitting  negligence 
had  compassed  her  ruin. 

"All  manner  of  sin  shall  be  forgiven,"  he  murmured, 


220  Old  Japan 

"but  whoso  shall  cause  one  of  my  little  ones  to  perish 
it  were  better  for  him  that  he  were  drowned  in  the  depths 
of  the  sea. 

"Thou  shalt  find  her,"  he  promised  "and  lead  her 
to  the  light.  Thou  hast  won  me  for  Japan,  even  as  I 
have  won  thee  for  Christ.  Thither  thou  shalt  lead  me, 
and  together  we  shall  teach." 

After  passing  my  novitiate  in  the  Jesuit  College  at 
Goa  I  took  the  vow  and  became  a  priest. 

Kosenya,  hypocrite  to  the  core,  simulated  repentance 
and  became  a  Franciscan  friar,  thereafter  known  as 
Brother  Jude. 

One  spring  morning  Pinto  came  to  us  with  the  glad 
tidings  that  he  was  ready  to  sail,  and  laden  with  a 
cargo  of  cotton  fabrics  and  leather  we  embarked  for 
Nippon. 

SPRING 

The  Spring  hath  come  but  still  Yamato  bears 
Her  ermine  mantle  of  the  stainless  snow, 

Heaven  send  us  soon  the  breath  of  zephyrs  low 
To  melt  the  nightingale's  melodious  tears! 

ANON. 

The  coast  gleamed  purple  and  white  beneath  its 
wintry  burden.  A  veil  of  amethyst  shrouded  the 
ancient  cliffs,  down  whose  beetling  foreheads  trickled 
thin  streams  of  light.  The  morning  sun  embroidered 


The  Three  Devils  221 

their  velvet  shadows  with  a  myriad  glittering  jewels. 
Across  the  silken  sea  a  toy-like  town  gleamed,  like  a 
willow  plate,  with  tiny  streaks  of  white  and  blue  against 
mist-wreathed  mountains  of  porphyry  and  pearl. 

My  heart  swelled  with  the  bursting  buds,  for  some- 
where in  this  flowery  isle  waited  Azalea.  Tears  of 
hope  welled  to  my  eyes  and  my  lips  sang  a  song  of 

EXPECTANCY 

Heaven  spreadeth  o'er  the  world  her  iris  bow: 
The  teeming  womb  of  all-prolific  Earth 
Is  quick  with  trembling  life  and  promised  birth; 
From  Fujyma's  crest  now  melts  the  snow 
And  frost-bound  streams  in  joyance  overflow; 
The  verduring  valleys  lose  all  trace  of  dearth, 
The  bright  plum-blossoms  leap  in  madcap  mirth, 
And  from  the  memory  fades  all  sense  of  woe. 

How  many  days  must  pass  ere  first  we  go 
To  cull  the  cowslip  in  the  dewy  mead; 
And,  while  the  nightingales  their  nocturnes  sing, 
Shall  stray  together  where  the  cherries  blow? 
These  are  the  dreams  our  fertile  fancies  breed, 
When  to  a  heart  expectant  cometh  Spring! 

KEICHIU. 

From  town  to  town  I  wandered  with  Father  Francis 
in  fruitless  quest  of  Azalea.  At  last  I  found  a  clue: 
the  keeper  of  a  tea-house  told  me  of  a  Korean  geisha, 
who  sang  this  song: 

"And  from  the  memory  fades  all  sense  of  woe 
When  to  a  heart  expectant  cometh  spring!" 


222  Old  Japan 

Then  I  knew  that  this  was  none  other  than  Azalea. 
But  alas !  he  had  sold  her  and  she  had  gone  he  knew  not 
whither. 

These  tidings  rent  my  heart  and  well-nigh  drove  me 
mad.  But  Father  Francis  sustained  me  in  the  faith 
that  we  would  find  her. 

"Let  us  forth!"  he  cried,  "for  truly  I  believe  the 
Master  will  reward  his  husbandmen. " 


As  we  were  nearing  the  outskirts  of  Kioto  a  band  of 
Buddhist  bonzes  trudged  sullenly  by. 

Black  looks  they  flung  us  and  blacker  oaths,  nor  was 
this  the  worst,  for  of  a  sudden  from  behind  a  hedge  a 
volley  of  shots  blazed  forth. 

Our  coolies  took  to  their  heels  in  consternation  as 
Father  Francis  fell  wounded  at  my  feet. 

Leaping  from  ambuscade  three  burly  ruffians  sprang 
suddenly  upon  me.  I  had  no  weapon  but  my  pilgrim's 
staff,  but  this  I  let  fly  so  lustily  about  their  heads  that 
the  caitiffs  drew  off  apace. 

Their  leader  paused  at  a  little  distance  and  hastily 
reloading  his  arquebus  sighted  it  upon  me. 

Though  cloaked  and  cowled  methought  I  recognized 
the  malevolent  features  of  Brother  Jude. 

Suddenly  a  shot  rang  out,  the  gun  dropped  from  his 
hand,  and  he  fled  shrieking  to  the  forest  as  a  troop  of 
samurai  galloped  to  our  rescue. 


The  Three  Devils  223 

Then  all  was  a  chaos  of  plunging  steeds  and  clashing 
blades. 

Having  pursued  the  fleeing  bonzes  to  the  forest, 
where  he  was  unable  to  penetrate  the  undergrowth,  the 
leader  of  the  samurai  rode  up  to  us  and  courteously 
demanded  if  we  had  suffered  scathe. 

"By  the  Ship  of  Good  Fortune,"  he  cried,  "it  is 
Anjiro!  The  arquebus  thou  didst  give  me  hath  served 
thee  in  good  stead!" 

With  delight  I  recognized  the  youthful  daimio  Oda 
Nobunaga. 

"  Of  late  the  monks  have  grown  arrogant  be- 
yond endurance,"  he  flared  indignantly.  "There 
are  three  things  I  can  scarce  control:  the  throw 
of  the  dice,  the  waters  of  the  Kamagawa  and 
the  monks  of  Hiei-zan!  But  I  will  humble  their 
pride." 

"Noble  Seignior,"  I  proffered,  "mayhap  it  is  in 
my  power  to  aid  thee. " 

"How?"  demanded  Nobunaga  eagerly.  "Hast  thou 
brought  the  Devil  Dust  wherewith  we  may  send  them 
to  Hell?" 

"Nay,"  protested  Father  Francis,  "we  bring  the 
peace  of  God  which  leadeth  unto  Heaven. " 

"Bah!  Religion!"  he  scoffed,  "I  would  liefer  have  a 
vat  of  Devil's  Dust  than  all  thy  paternosters. " 

"That  will  I  give  thee!"  I  cried,  "for  I  alone  possess 
the  secret  formula. " 


THE  CLOISTERED  LIFE 

Summer 

i  \  \ 

The  first  bright  clusters  of  wistaria  sway 
Their  fragile  tassels  o'er  the  plashing  rill 
As  comes  a  lone  wild  cuckoo  from  the  hill 
To  thrill  my  heart  with  his  melodious  lay. 

HlTOMARO. 

The  days  were  bright  and  balmy,  a  riot  of  ceaseless 
sunshine  and  cloudless  azure  skies.  From  a  thousand 
arbours,  purple  and  white  wistaria  drooped  graceful 
clusters  over  brook  and  pool.  Pale  pink  lotus  buds 
peered  shyly  forth  from  great  green  spatulas,  and  timid 
cuckoos  quitted  wood  and  mountain  to  wake  the 
meadows  with  melodious  song. 

But  my  heart  was  sad  with  vain  longing,  for  despite 
incessant  questing  I  could  not  find  Azalea. 

Night  and  day  Father  Francis  toiled  throughout  the 
streets  of  Kioto  to  seek  and  to  save. 

In  teeming  marts  and  before  tea-houses  in  the 
"Flower  Quarter, "  he  lifted  up  his  voice  in  supplication: 
"Come  unto  me  all  ye  that  labour  and  are  heavy- 
laden  and  I  will  give  you  rest. " 

From  a  balcony  where  a  group  of  glittering  geisha 
postured  to  the  tinkling  samisen,  a  heart-sick  Magdalen 
came  and  threw  herself  weeping  at  his  feet. 


Brother  Jude,  motionless  and  malevolent,  leered  upon 
Azalea  cowering  in  terror  at  his  feet " 


(Hokusai) 


The  Three  Devils  225 

Little  deeming  to  whom  he  spake,  Father  Francis 
told  her  the  story  of  that  Mary  of  the  long  ago: 

"Thy  sins,"  he  said,  "are  forgiven,  for  thou  hast 
loved  much, "  and  lifting  his  hand  in  blessing,  bade  her 
gently,  "Go  and  sin  no  more." 

White  with  anger  the  owner  of  the  tea-house  rushed 
forth  and  grasping  the  trembling  girl  thrust  her  brutally 
within.  >V,: 

Towering  to  his  full  height,  his  eyes  blazing  with 
divine  wrath,  Father  Francis  cried:  "Renegade,  open 
thy  doors  and  let  the  girl  go  free!  Else  shalt  thou  burn 
forever  in  eternal  fire!" 

Cowering  before  the  dauntless  apostle  the  panderer 
unbarred. 

Revenge  fired  my  heart  as  I  recognized  Brother 
Jude. 

"Traitor!"  I  cried,  leaping  through  the  doorway  into 
a  gilded  banquet-hall. 

Clatter  of  cups,  tinkle  of  samisens,  mad  lauhter,  and 
swish  of  silken  draperies  flooded  the  chamber.  Flitting, 
dancing  maidens  poured  hot  sake  for  drunken  guests, 
while  Brother  Jude  leered  motionless  and  malevolent 
upon  Azalea  cowering  in  terror  at  his  feet. 

Snatching  a  sword  from  the  tokonoma,  I  swept  aside 
the  bystanders  and  rushed  upon  him. 

"Let  me  pass,"  I  shouted  while  the  noisy  crowd 
grew  mute. 

A  sudden  slash  was  his  only  answer, 
is 


226  Old  Japan 

I  parried  and  thrust,  fencing  warily,  waiting  carefully 
for  an  opening.  His  prowess  was  well  known  to  the 
company  and  they  thought  to  see  him  spit  me  at  the 
first  onset. 

As  this  expectation  was  deferred  they  watched  each 
stroke  with  bated  breath,  as  steel  clashed  against  steel 
till  sparks  flashed  from  our  whirling  blades. 

Slowly  the  leer  faded  from  his  face  and  a  grim  fore- 
boding glazed  his  shifty  eyes.  He  tried  one  form  of 
attack  after  another,  for  he  had  mastered  all  the  tricks 
of  Japanese  swordsmanship.  But  he  had  found  his 
match  at  last,  and  knew  it.  I  had  learned  the  Portu- 
guese style  of  fencing,  and  my  mode  of  attack  bewildered 
him,  for  I  used  the  point  as  readily  as  the  blade. 

A  tricky  feint  of  his  roused  my  wrath  and,  forgetting 
all  restraint,  I  lunged  with  renewed  vigour. 

Sweat  stood  in  great  beads  on  his  forehead  and  his 
breath  came  in  short  laboured  gasps. 

I  would  not  let  him  breathe  but  pressed  him  more  and 
more  mercilessly. 
,    Fear  glared  from  his  blank  protruding  eyes. 

At  last  his  nerveless  fingers  relaxed  their  grip,  and, 
with  a  sudden  parry,  I  sent  his  sword  flying  into  the 
crowd. 

A  shout  from  the  onlookers  acclaimed  my  victory. 

As  the  caitiff  shrank  back  covering  his  face  with  his 
hands,  I  stood  unable  to  strike  the  death-blow,  for  a 
voice  rang  out : 


The  Three  Devils  227 

"Forgive  us  our  trespasses  as  we  forgive  those  who 
trespass  against  us. "  Father  Francis  stepped  between : 

"Go,  Jude!"  he  cried,  "but  beware  to  cross  my  path 
again. " 

He  stayed  not  for  a  second  bidding  but  bounded 
through  the  doorway  like  a  frightened  cur. 

Father  Francis  smiled  upon  me  reproachfully : 

"My  Son,  I  fear  'the  sword  of  the  spirit'  hath  not 
yet  replaced  thy  sword  of  steel." 

Ne'er  was  sinner  more  devoutly  penitent  than  Azalea. 
She  had  been  caught  in  the  toils  like  some  poor  bird. 
She  had  tasted  of  the  cup  of  pleasure  and  had  found  it 
gall. 

My  heart  was  filled  with  a  divine  joy.  I  loved  her 
with  an  affection  in  which  was  mingled  no  unworthy 
earthly  thought.  Her  presence  glorified  the  dawn  and 
blessed  the  tranquil  evening.  These  halcyon  days  were 
very  near  to  Heaven. 

We  journeyed  to  Hikone,  seeking  the  protection  of 
Nobunaga;  who  received  us  with  warm  hospitality, 
converting  his  castle  into  a  chapel  and  rearing  thereon 
the  cross. 

Many  a  lovesome  evening  did  we  beguile  with  lute 
and  psaltery.  Azalea  was  beloved  by  all,  more  es- 
pecially by  the  children  who  trooped  about  her  like  a 
brood  of  pheasants. 

"Thou  shalt  minister  to  the  little  ones, "  said  Father 


228  Old  Japan 

Francis.      "The    motherless    shall    find    in    thee    a 
mother." 

Autumn 

The  pearly  dewdrops  gleam  beneath  the  night 
Translucent,  pale,  and  pure,  like  crystals  white, 
Then  tell  me,  gentle  jewels,  truly  why, 
Your  crystal  dews,  with  such  alluring  hues 
Blazon  the  gold  brocade  of  autumn  bright? 

TOSHIYUKI. 

Sleep  had  fallen  on  the  silent  forest.  The  ancient 
firs  towered  hoar  and  holy  in  the  misty  moonlight.  The 
flaming  tapestry  of  oak  and  maple  faded  to  faint  bro- 
cade of  russet  rose.  Dew  dripped  from  the  lacquered 
branches,  streaming  in  strands  of  silver  down  their 
mossy  stems.  The  velvet  shadows  gleamed  with  a 
myriad  lustrous  pearls.  Silent  and  sinister  loomed  the 
slumbering  forest,  august,  mysterious  as  death. 

Beneath  the  moonlight  we  repeated  to  one  another 
a  joyous  litany  of  love : 

"A mo  te  card,"  I  murmured. 

"Amo  te, "  she  echoed  with  fluttering  lids. 

"Semper  me  amabis?"  she  questioned  shyly. 

"Semper,  et  solo  te,"  I  vowed. 

But,  like  an  unproved  knight,  I  was  over-confident 
in  my  strength. 

"Azalea,"  I  cried,  "I  love  thee  body  and  soul. 
God  hath  made  me  man  and  thee  woman.  Thou  dost 


The  Three  Devils  229 

love  me.  Thou  canst  not  forswear  thyself,  my  Heart, 
my  Love,  my  Life!" 

She  drew  back  suddenly  and  buried  her  face  in  her 
hands. 

Then  it  came  over  me  that  she  shrank  not  in  shame 
but  with  the  sorrow  a  mother  feels  for  a  wayward 
child. 

"Am  I  then  so  base,"  she  flared,  "that  I  lure  thee 
to  sin?  Nay,  Anjiro,  thou  hast  given  thyself  to  me,  I 
give  thee  back  to  Christ!" 

"Soul  of  my  Life,"  I  pleaded,  "for  me  there  is  no 
Heaven  save  thy  love!" 

"Thou  wbuldst  love  me  not,"  she  'chided  gently, 
"should  I  yield  to  thy  desire." 

And  in  my  inmost  self  I  knew  that  she  spake 
sooth. 

"I  have  lost  all,  all,"  I  moaned.  "Christ  have  pity 
on  me!" 

Clasping  her  hands  in  prayer  she  whispered,  "Grieve 
not,  Beloved,  he  will  take  thee  to  his  heart." 

Beyond  the  tranquil  blue  of  Lake  Biwa  loomed  a 
mighty  mountain  upon  whose  beetling  cliffs  frowned 
the  monastery  of  the  warrior  monks  of  Hiei-zan. 

From  his  fortress  of  Hikone  the  Regent  frowned  back, 
angered  by  their  surly  insolence. 

"They  roar  through  the  city,"  cried  Nobunaga, 
"like  the  Kamagawa  in  flood.  'Twas  all  my  guards 


230  Old  Japan 

could  do  to  beat  me  passage  with  the  flat  of  their 
swords.  Belike  soon  these  lawless  knaves  shall  feel  the 
blade." 

"Aye,  Master,"  I  assented.  "Time  is  to  burn  this 
nest  of  hornets." 

"Even  now,"  he  answered,  "go  I  to  take  counsel 
with  the  Emperor,  for  they  threaten  to  burn  his  palace 
else  he  yield  them  ransom." 

One  evening,  as  I  moored  my  boat  and  mounted  to 
the  castle,  there  broke  from  the  forest  such  a  flood  of 
melody  that  I  was  smitten  with  foreboding. 

It  was  the  sad,  sweet  song  of 

The   Uguisu 

Like  silent  samurai  the  cedars  loom, 
Lifting  their  serried  lances  to  the  light, 
About  the  moonlit  pool  where  iris  white, 
Wan  little  ghosts  in  shadowland  a-bloom 
And  lotus  pale  the  fragrant  dusk  perfume; 
While  from  the  forest  near  with  fond  delight 
The  nightingale  pours  forth  unto  the  night 
Its  love-sweet  ecstasy  of  joyous  doom. 

Elusive  sound-flowers,  waning  fast  to  death 
Like  wind-blown  blossoms  in  the  sunless  sky, 
Brief  as  an  evanescent  thought,  an  idle  breath; 
Thus  vanisheth  life's  summer-dream  of  vain  delight : 
A  little  gleam  of  love,  of  beauty,  bliss, 
Then  endless  darkness  blind  as  winter  night." 


The  Three  Devils  231 

Suddenly  from  the  shadow  of  the  cedars  a  cowled 
figure  advanced  to  meet  me.  He  lifted  his  hand  in 
blessing  and  I  recognized  Father  Francis.  He  gazed 
upon  me  with  a  look  of  such  infinite  sympathy  that  I 
trembled  ere  he  spake. 

"My  Son,",  he  faltered,  "strengthen  thine  heart  to 
bear  a  great  sorrow.  Azalea " 

"Tell  me  not, "  I  implored,  "that  she  is  dead!" 

"Not  dead,  but  lost, "  he  answered  sadly.  "Seeking 
her  at  the  chapel  I  found  the  children  weeping  instead 
of  playing  as  is  their  wont.  Then  they  told  me  the  ill 
tidings  that  Azalea  had  been  carried  away  by  a  band  of 
horsemen." 

"This  is  Jude's  work,"  I  cried,  and  ran  to  the 
stables. 

As  I  sprang  to  saddle,  Father  Francis  gave  me  a 
sword : 

"The  time  hath  come,  my  Son,  to  gird  the  sword  of 
steel!" 

When  I  reached  the  "Flower  Quarter"  to  my  astonish- 
ment I  found  the  tea-house  deserted.  The  great  doors 
of  the  banquet-hall  were  barred.  The  firefly  lanterns 
swung  no  longer  from  the  eaves.  As  I  paced  to  and 
fro  in  bewilderment  I  perceived,  upon  the  pavement, 
a  little  golden  flower,  a  fragment  from  the  tiara  of 
Azalea. 

I  crossed  the  street.     A  faint  light  flickered  through 


232  Old  Japan 

the  shoji.  Suddenly  a  woman's  shadow  flitted  across 
and  I  heard  the  plaintive  murmur  of  a  lute. 

Aglow  with  hope  I  threw  wide  the  shutters  and  made 
my  way  into  the  dim  interior.  Softly  I  tiptoed  from 
one  deserted  chamber  to  another,  whither  I  knew  not, 
in  fruitless  quest  of  my  beloved. 

Of  a  sudden  the  earth  yawned  beneath  me  and  I  fell. 
Down,  down  I  hurtled,  through  fathoms  of  pitchy 
darkness,  as  it  seemed  a  lifetime,  till  I  landed,  bruised 
and  bleeding,  in  the  noisome  slime  of  a  cistern,  an 
oubliette  where  many  a  wretch  had  been  cast  to  rot  in 
filth  and  darkness. 

How  long  I  lingered  there  I  know  not,  save  that  at 
last  I  was  awakened  by  a  clamour  of  voices. 

A  lantern  was  lowered  and  I  discerned,  peering  down 
upon  me,  a  ring  of  ghostly  faces.  A  gruff  voice  bade 
me  grasp  a  rope  and  I  was  drawn,  spent  but  exultant,  to 
the  light  of  day. 

Then  the  slit  eyes  of  Jude  leered  upon  me  in  male- 
volent triumph,  and  I  knew  my  hour  had  come ! 

V 
DEVIL'S  DUST 

"So  my  bait  lured  thee, "  laughed  Jude,  "this  should 
teach  thee  that  the  way  of  sinners  leadeth  to  hell!" 

"Have  a  care,  Hypocrite,"  I  cried,  "thine  insolence 
will  not  go  unpunished." 


The  Three  Devils  233 

' '  Look  not  to  Nobunaga  for  aid,"  he  muttered ; ' ' soon 
shalt  thou  be  beyond  his  power.  Meanwhile,  keep  a 
civil  tongue  in  thy  head  lest  it  be  torn  from  thy  caitiff 
throat." 

Whereupon  his  minions  bound,  gagged,  and  cast  me 
helpless  into  a  bullock-cart,  and,  covering  me  with 
straw,  lumbered  from  the  city. 

At  the  barrier  I  heard  a  samurai  bid  the  wardens 
keep  careful  watch  in  quest  of  a  certain  Krishitan  priest 
whom  the  Buddhist  bonzes  had  secretly  spirited  away. 

Whereat  the  guard  prodded  the  straw  with  his 
halberd,  but,  strive  as  I  might,  I  could  make  no  outcry. 

Then  he  turned  to  interrogate  a  band  of  monks,  and 
Jude  lashing  the  bullocks,  we  jolted  on  our  way. 

I  heard  the  laughter  of  the  bonzes  as  they  overtook 
us,  and  learned  that  they  were  bearing  me  to  the 
Monastery  of  Hiei-zan. 

The  roads  were  a  quagmire  of  pools  and  ruts,  and  so 
shaken  was  I  by  my  fall  that  I  feared  each  jolt  would  be 
my  last.  After  hours  of  tedious  plodding  the  bullocks 
halted,  I  heard  the  clang  of  portcullis,  a  rattle  of  bolts 
and  screaming  of  hinges;  the  cart  jolted  a  pace  or  two 
farther  then,  heaving  out  its  load  of  straw,  I  tumbled 
suddenly  forth. 

Massy  walls  frowned  on  every  hand,  a  great  keep 
towering  black  against  the  rising  sun.  Stern,  mailed 
warriors  scowled  down  upon  me  from  tile-roofed  para- 
pets. It  was  the  fortress  of  Hiei-Zan. 


234  Old  Japan 

"So  this  is  the  knave  who  hath  the  secret,"  blurted 
the  truculent  Abbot.  "Verily  there  are  three  devils: 
Gunpowder,  Christianity,  and  the  Portuguese,  and  in  the 
first  only  have  I  faith.  Therefore  deliver  to  us  thy 
formula. " 

"Nay,  of  thy  courtesy,  gentle  Sir,  I  have  it  not,"  I 
asseverated  truly. 

"Hast  searched  the  lying  rogue?"  demanded  the 
Abbot  unconvinced. " 

"Of  a  surety,"  shrugged  Brother  Jude,  "but  found 
naught. " 

"Trouble  me  then  no  further,  but  behead  him  forth- 
with!" 

"Nay,  reverend  Father,"  protested  the  other,  "let 
not  the  secret  perish  with  him.  Perchance,  an  he 
willeth,  he  may  recall  the  formula  to  his  mind. " 

"Lead  him  to  the  torture-chamber,"  smiled  the 
Abbot.  "'Twill  jog  his  flagging  memory." 

I  eyed  my  inquisitors  calmly.  They  were  men 
who  knew  neither  pity  nor  remorse,  but  I  vowed  within 
my  heart  that  neither  rack  nor  crucifixion  should  wrest 
from  me  my  secret. 

Lighting  a  link  from  a  cresset,  Jude  led  me  down  a 
slimy  stairway  to  the  bowels  of  the  fortress,  where, 
unbolting  an  iron-studded  door,  he  thrust  me  into  a 
vaulted  dungeon. 

A  fire  glowed  in  a  furnace,  the  floor  was  littered  with 
crucibles,  and  the  air  reeked  with  noisome  stenches. 


The  Three  Devils  235 

For  days  I  laboured  in  this  inferno,  sleeping  on  the 
dank  earth,  nor  ever  passing  that  bolt-studded  door. 

I  had  hoped  to  gain  time  by  a  pretence  that  I  was 
wildered  in  my  wits,  but  Jude  fathomed  that  subterfuge 
and  flogged  me  piteously. 

This  only  served  to  rouse  my  spirit.  Each  lash  the 
malefactors  rained  on  my  bleeding  shoulders  strength- 
ened my  resolve  never  to  reveal  my  precious  secret. 

As  my  torturers  heated  their  irons  at  the  forge,  a 
battle-hymn  of  the  spirit  rang  within  my  ears,  hearten- 
ing my  courage  to  endure,  j 

The  Sword  of  the  Soul 

Forged  in  the  furnace  flame  of  Life 
The  sword-blade  gleameth  white, 

Beneath  the  bludgeonings  of  strife 
Reverberant  and  bright. 

The  stern  artificer  of  years 

Tempers  youth's  ardent  fires, 
Within  Truth's  well  of  joy  and  tears, 

Made  free  from  base  desires. 

Thus  shall  our  souls,  through  slow  anneal, 

Within  Fate's  furnace  cast, 
Beneath  Time's  tireless  sledge  reveal 

Life's  flawless  steel  at  last. 

Each  day  I  suffered  a  fresh  ordeal:  lashed,  burned,  and 

racked  until  I  prayed  that  death  might  end  my  misery. 

Meanwhile  Jude  strove  feverishly  to  fabricate  the 


23,6  Old  Japan 

Devil's  Dust,  mingling  various  compounds  of  sulphur 
and  saltpetre,  in  a  vain  hope  of  discovering  the  secret. 

One  day  a  youth  entered  bearing  a  pannier  of  char- 
coal, which  he  threw  carelessly  upon  the  floor. 

Jude  glared  in  astonishment  at  the  black  dust, 
struck  by  its  resemblance  to  gunpowder.  Of  a  sudden 
the  conviction  dawned  upon  him  that  this  was  the 
missing  ingredient. 

Clutching  a  handful,  he  flung  it  into  the  mortar  and 
pounded  furiously.  A  blinding  flash  illumined  the 
laboratory,  shaking  the  walls  and  filling  the  chamber 
with  a  smother  of  lurid  smoke. 

Scorched  and  blackened,  frantic  with  fiendish  delight, 
Jude  danced  and  sang  like  a  raving  maniac.  He  had 
found  the  secret  formula ! 

Nor  was  I  ungrateful  for  his  discovery.  My  torture 
was  ended,  though  now,  I  thought,  in  all  likelihood 
will  he  slay  me  since  I  am  no  longer  of  use. 

But  in  this  I  was  mistaken.  Commanding  me  to 
store  the  powder  in  a  vault  outside  the  monastery  walls, 
he  committed  to  me  the  task  of  excavation. 

The  course  of  this  subterranean  gallery  lay  beneath 
the  gate-tower.  I  could  hear  the  guard  laughing  and 
singing  above  me  as  I  worked,  and  determined  upon 
my  plan  of  escape. 

Day  and  night  I  descended  and,  little  by  little,  dug  a 
tunnel  to  a  grove  on  the  shore  of  the  lake. 

Many  weary  days  I  laboured  thus,  scarce  stopping 


The  Three  Devils  237 

to  sleep  or  eat.  Having  no  sure  means  of  judging 
the  distance  I  delved  on  until  I  encountered  a  thick 
tangle  of  roots;  then  burrowing  upwards  to  the  air,  I 
beheld  with  delight  the  full  moon  shining  through  the 
pines. 

I  turned  to  cast  a  last  glance  behind,  when  suddenly, 
at  a  barred  window  in  the  topmost  tower,  I  saw 
Azalea.  Well  it  was  I  had  not  known  this  before,  else 
should  I  have  gone  mad,  for  I  could  not  have  rescued 
her,  nor  could  I  now  without  an  army  at  my  back. 
But  I  thought  of  Nobunaga  and  laughed  aloud  as  I 
planned  a  means  for  her  deliverance. 

Hastening  back  to  the  magazine  I  emptied  sack  after 
sack  of  gunpowder  beneath  the  gate-tower  and  laid  a 
fuse  therefrom  along  my  secret  tunnel  to  the  outlet; 
then  sped  through  the  forest  to  the  lake. 

A  lone  fisherman  with  a  flock  of  cormorants  was 
plying  his  curious  craft.  Drawing  in  his  greedy  fowls 
he  gave  me  an  oar,  and  in  the  misty  moonlight  we 
sculled  silently  across  the  lake. 

The  mighty  castle  of  Hikone  bristled  with  warriors, 
and  the  broad  champaign  teemed  with  a  myriad  horse- 
men eager  for  the  fray.  Nobunaga  was  rejoiced 
beyond  measure  at  my  miraculous  deliverance. 

I  told  him  of  Azalea's  imprisonment,  and  of  my  plan 
to  capture  Hiei-zan. 

"Go  back,"  he  commanded,  "burst  asunder  the 
gates.  At  dawn  I  will  attack  the  fortress!" 


238  Old  Japan 

Disguised  as  a  fisherman  I  oared  across  the  lake, 
crept  through  the  wood,  and  came  to  the  hidden  way. 
To  my  consternation  the  tunnel  was  blocked  by  a  pile 
of  stones! 

I  believed  my  plan  foiled,  until  after  many  moments 
of  digging  I  found  the  fuse  undisturbed. 

Striking  a  flint  I  ignited  the  end,  and  a  fiery  serpent 
hissed  swiftly  along  the  ground. 

Suddenly  the  barbican  rose  in  a  blinding  shaft  of 
fire,  with  a  shock  that  seemed  to  shatter  the  universe, 
and  a  pall  of  soot-black  clouds  shrouded  the  sky. 

Then  a  great  bell  boomed.  Shrieks  of  terror  rang 
from  the  panic-stricken  monks  as  the  samurai  of  Nobu- 
naga  rushed  to  the  assault.  Through  the  smouldering 
ruins  of  the  barbican  burst  the  mailed  warriors  thrusting 
with  pike  and  halberd,  slashing  with  sword  and  axe; 
while,  heedless  of  the  foe,  in  flaming  vestments  the 
half-burned  inmates  staggered  blindly  forth  and  fell 
writhing  upon  the  ground. 

Warrior-monks  poured  from  archways  and  shot  from 
arrow-slits.  For  a  space  they  fought  desperately, 
then,  overpowered  by  the  ever-increasing  numbers, 
fled  up  burning  stairways  through  toppling  galleries, 
out  upon  the  battlements  whence  they  leapt,  only  to 
be  dashed  in  fragments  upon  the  stones. 

Foremost  in  the  panic-stricken  mob  I  caught  sight 
of  Jude  fleeing  for  his  cowardly  life,  leaving  Azalea 
imprisoned  a  prey  to  the  relentless  flames. 


The  Three  Devils  239 

And  ever  the  merciless  samurai  of  Nobunaga  poured 
ceaselessly  in,  putting  all  to  sword  and  flame.  Through 
underground  burrows  they  ferreted  their  fleeing  foes, 
slaughtering  them  like  rats  in  their  holes. 

Of  a  sudden,  at  a  loop-hole  in  the  topmost  tower,  her 
arms  outstretched  in  appeal,  I  beheld  Azalea,  wreathed 
in  a  ring  of  flames. 

I  leaped  over  the  smoking  threshold  into  the  blazing 
furnace.  Up  the  burning  stairway  I  hurried  till  I  came 
to  a  bolted  door. 

"Azalea, "  I  cried.     "Unbar;  'tis  I,  Anjiro." 

But  she  gave  no  answer. 

Putting  forth  all  my  strength  I  wrenched  the  door 
from  its  hinges,  as  the  stairway  crumpled  behind  me  and 
was  swallowed  in  a  well  of  fire. 

With  a  joyous  cry  I  lifted  Azalea  in  my  arms  and  ran 
with  her  to  the  window. 

Seizing  the  lattice  I  wrenched  it  from  its  fastenings; 
and  grasping  Azalea  by  the  wrists  lowered  her  until  her 
feet  touched  the  tile  roof  of  the  story  below.  Then, 
using  the  window-lattice  as  a  ladder,  I  climbed  cau- 
tiously down. 

A  cheer  rang  out  as  the  samurai  of  Nobunaga 
watched  us  from  the  court. 

r  The  tower  terraced  beneath  us,  each  roof  of  its  seven 
stories  jutting  out  beyond  the  one  above.  My  ladder 
was  just  long  enough  to  reach  from  one  gable  to  the 
next.  Along  the  tiles  we  crept,  clambering  down  the 


240  Old  Japan 

ladder,  from  eave  to  eave,  until  we  reached  the  lowest 
cornice. 

Below  us  yawned  a  sheer  wall  of  masonry  full  fifty 
feet  above  the  court ! 

I  paused  aghast,  to  leap  would  be  certain  death ! 

But  even  as  I  hesitated  a  tongue  of  flame  lapped  the 
parapet. 

Clasping  her  hands  about  my  neck,  Azalea  buried  her 
face  in  my  bosom: 

"Leap!"  she  cried,  "into  the  great  unknown." 

Raising  her  above  me,  I  leaped  backward  that  my 
body  might  break  the  shock  of  her  fall. 

But  lo !    'Twas  not  to  death. 

We  lay  cradled  safely  in  a  net,  which  the  samurai  of 
Nobunaga  held  beneath  us.  Their  cheers  rent  the  air 
as  the  great  keep  toppled  suddenly  in,  throwing  up  a 
volcano  of  flame  into  the  very  heavens. 

VI 

THE  BETRAYAL 

First  wee  snowflakes  white 

On  the  lily  lending, 
Their  frail  freight  so  light 

Scarce  its  petals  bending. 

Thus  musing,  I  culled  a  lily  for  the  altar;  then,  glanc- 
ing at  the  belfry,  noted  that  the  lantern  was  not  dis- 
played, and,  seeking  the  old  sexton,  I  reproached  him 
for  his  remissness. 


The  Three  Devils  241 

"Father,"  he  pleaded,  "strange  rumours  are  abroad. 
'Tis  said  the  cruel  Hideyoshi  hath  come  to  enforce  his 
edict  against  the  Christians.  Shall  I  light  the  wolf  to 
thesheepfold?" 

"Our  Shepherd  will  care  for  his  flock,"  I  answered, 
as  with  shaking  fingers  he  set  the  tapers  aglow. 

A  step  rang  upon  the  pavement  and  I  beheld  a  man 
cloaked  in  a  fisherman's  straw  raincoat  who  entered 
the  chapel  and  disappeared  within  a  confessional. 
Pondering  who  this  stranger-penitent  might  be  I 
followed  and  knelt  within  the  curtained  alcove. 

"My  Son,"  I  asked,  "hast  thou  some  secret  sin 
whereof  thou  wouldst  ease  thy  conscience?" 

"Sins  a-plenty,"  he  replied,  "but  not  that  of  desert- 
ing a  friend  in  peril." 

Then  with  a  thrill  of  pleasure  I  recognized  the 
voice  of  Pinto. 

"Come  forth,  Sinner,"  I  cried,  "that  I  may  embrace 
thee!" 

"By  your  leave  we  will  deem  embraces  exchanged, 
and  bide  in  hiding,"  he  whispered  cautiously. 

"Art  thou  in  peril,  Friend?"  I  questioned. 

"Nay,  Anjiro,  'tis  thee  I  have  come  to  warn.  Jude 
came  on  board  my  ship  today  and  offered  to  betray  to 
me  the  citadel  of  Nagasaki.  He  maintained  that  thou 
wast  in  the  plot;  but  well  I  knew  he  lied.  I  kicked 
him  from  my  deck  as  a  scurvy  traitor,  and  have  it 
upon  my  conscience  that  I  slew  him  not." 


1 6 


242  Old  Japan 

"'Tis  like  the  rogue,"  I  mused,  "but  how  can  this 
avail  since  his  plot  hath  failed?" 

"Listen,  Friend,"  he  resumed,  "Hideyoshi  hath 
commanded  all  Christians  to  leave  Japan  on  pain  of 
death.  There  are  but  two  courses:  to  fight  or  to  flee; 
in  which  shall  I  aid  thee?" 

"In  neither,  faithful  comrade,"  I  made  answer. 
"I  must  not  desert  my  flock.  I  will  betray  neither  my 
country  nor  Christ. " 

"Nay,  'tis  not  betrayal, "  he  persisted.  "Come  with 
me  until  this  peril  be  overpast.  I  will  wait  by  the 
lighthouse  of  Hirado  until  the  morrow." 

I  wrung  his  hand  warmly  but  shook  my  head. 

"Fool,"  he  muttered,  yet  methought  with  kindly 
feeling,  "thou  shalt  still  have  thy  day  of  grace,"  and 
was  gone. 

' '  My  day  of  grace ! "  I  echoed,  falling  upon  my  knees. 
"Merciful  Father,  let  me  not  fail!" 

Of  a  sudden  I  discerned  the  clank  of  arms,  tread  of 
mailed  feet,  and  roar  of  wrathful  voices.  Up  the  toil- 
some path  trailed  a  troop  of  grim  samurai,  their  foot- 
steps dogged  by  a  flock  of  Christians  shaking  clenched 
fists  and  muttering  anathemas. 

A  skulking  form  darted  swiftly  forward  and  thrust 
a  parchment  into  the  hand  of  the  officer: 

"Proof,  Captain,"  he  hissed,  "damning  proof! 
Mark  the  red  light  within  the  belfry.  Take  him  to 
Hideyoshi,  his  guilt  is  clear!" 


The  Three  Devils  243 

"Judas!"  I  cried,  "thou  traitor,  wouldst  seek  to 
shoulder  thy  crime  upon  the  innocent?" 

He  made  no  answer  save  a  smiling  shrug,  as  the 
samurai  pinioned  my  arms  and  led  me  forth. 

The  tidings  sped  like  flame.  My  faithful  converts 
flocked  around  me  by  scores,  kneeling  to  kiss  my  robe. 
Youths  hurled  stones  and  imprecations.  Women 
wailed  and  beat  their  breasts.  Thus  they  attended 
me  to  the  citadel  where  the  samurai  clanged  the  brazen 
gates  in  their  faces  as  they  thrust  me  into  a  dungeon. 

Fleeting  Life 

A  cloudlet  white  as  mountain  snows 

Blows  blithely  by, 
And  whence  it  comes  or  whither  goes 

It  scarce  knows  why: 

Till,  like  an  iris  aureole, 

It  melts  in  sky. 
E'en  thus,  man's  soaring  cloud-like  soul 

Is  born — to  die! 

MlNAMOTO    NO    JUN. 

After  hours  of  blind  suspense  I  was  at  last  summoned 
before  the  relentless  Hideyoshi. 

Flanked  by  two  councillors  he  sat  upon  a  dais, 
smoking  unconcernedly,  heeding  not  my  presence  as  I 
knelt  submissively  at  his  feet. 

At  length  he  glared  upon  me  with  his  loathly,  serpent 
eyes. 


244 

"Thou  hast  not  the  visage  of  a  murderer,"  he 
muttered.  "Why  have  ye  brought  this  miscreant 
to  me?  There  is  a  lower  court  for  thieves  and 
vagabonds." 

"Nay,  august  General,"  protested  the  Captain, 
"the  prisoner  is  accused  of  treason." 

"Ha!  this  promises  well,"  smiled  Hideyoshi,  rapping 
the  hibachi  with  his  pipe.  "Let  the  accusation  be 
read." 

In  a  perfunctory  tone  a  clerk  droned  the  trumped-up 
indictment : 

"  "Tis  charged  that  the  accused,  a  notorious  pirate, 
by  name  Kosenya,  cloaking  his  identity  under  the 
alias,  Brother  Paul  of  the  Evil  Sect,  hath  hatched  a 
vile  conspiracy  to  deliver  our  Heaven-descended 
Empire  into  the  hands  of  King  Philip  of  Spain!'" 

"Art  thou  Brother  Paul  of  the  Evil  Sect?"  demanded 
Hideyoshi. 

"By  the  name  of  Paul  of  the  Holy  Faith  am  I  hon- 
oured," I  answered  proudly,  "but  I  am  innocent  of 
this  shameful  plot.  Though  a  Christian  I  am  a  true 
son  of  Nippon,  and  would  sooner  suffer  death  than 
sell  my  country." 

"Enough,"  interrupted  the  General,  "we  have 
proofs.  Let  the  scrolls  be  read. " 

"This  letter,"  explained  the  Captain,  "was  found 
concealed  beneath  the  chapel  altar."  Whereupon  he 
read : 


The  Three  Devils  245 

"  To  the  Reverend,  FATHER  PAUL  of  the  Holy  Faith: 

"  Be  it  known  that  His  Majesty  Philip  II.  King  of  Spain 
having  duly  considered  thy  petition,  hath  despatched  me 
with  a  fleet  of  armed  galleons,  to  complete  the  conquest 
of  Japan,  which  thou  hast  inaugurated. 

"  Send  runners  to  all  thy  churches.  Instruct  thy  people 
to  seize  the  arsenals  and  citadels.  1  will  subdue  Nagasaki, 
join  thy  insurgents  in  Kioto  and  the  victory  will  be 
complete. 

"  As  sign  that  thou  dost  consent,  within  the  belfry  of  thy 
Church  display  tonight  a  red  lantern;  I  will  come  thither 
that  we  may  perfect  our  plans. 

"  (Signed)  FERNANDO  MENDEZ- PINTO. 

"  Commander  of  the  Spanish  war-galleon  San  Felipe, 
and  accredited  agent  of  His  Majesty  Philip  II.  of  Spain." 


"Permission  is  humbly  implored,"  I  besought,  "to 
defend  myself  from  this  false  accusation." 

For  answer  the  guard  smote  me  in  the  face,  bidding 
me  hold  my  tongue. 

Hideyoshi  regarded  me  malevolently:  "Dost  thou 
deny  knowledge  of  this  letter  and  that  it  is  the  answer 
to  thine  own?" 
;    "I  deny  both, "  I  replied  firmly. 

"Didst  thou  not  signal  the  Spanish  ship  with  a  red 
lantern?"  he  thundered,  pointing  to  the  belfry,  where 
the  light  still  glowed  like  a  ruby  star. 

"I  displayed  the  lantern  to  call  my  worshippers  to 
midnight  mass, "  I  explained. 


246  Old  Japan 

"Write  that  the  prisoner  doth  admit  the  charge," 
commanded  the  General. 

"Dost  thou  deny  that  thy  fellow  conspirator  came 
at  thy  signal,  and  that  together  ye  did  take  counsel 
concerning  the  plot?" 

"This  also  I  deny,"  I  maintained  stubbornly. 

"Are  there  witnesses  to  this  meeting?"  asked 
Hideyoshi. 

The  Captain  thereupon  attested  that  at  mid- 
night he  had  seen  a  Spanish  officer  leave  the 
chapel;  that  his  troops  had  pursued  him  to  the  port, 
but  that  he  sprang  into  a  sampan  and  escaped  to  his 
galleon. 

"Write,"  commanded  the  General,  "that  the  prison- 
er's denials  have  all  been  proven  false. 

"Summon  the  chief  witness,  the  Buddhist  bonze — 
Anjiro!" 

I  could  scarce  credit  my  eyes  when,  in  answer  to  my 
name,  Brother  Jude  strode  confidently  forth. 

"Art  thou  that  Anjiro,  friend  of  my  late  master  Odo 
Nobunaga?"  the  General  demanded. 

"Even  so, "  assented  the  traitor  unabashed. 

"Thou  art  a  member  of  the  Evil  Sect?" 

"Nay,  august  Lord,  when  I  learned  their  plot  to 
seize  the  Emperor  through  the  murder  of  Nobu- 
naga, I  forswore  their  faith  and  entered  a  Buddhist 
monastery." 

"Write  that  the  testimony  of  Anjiro  is  admitted  to 


•S3  s 

jj  *4) 

<*•«  "S 

O  «*H 

w  .2 


-a 


•s  § 


The  artist  dipped  a  brush,  poised  it  between  thumb 

and  forefinger,  and  with  a  dexterous  fillip  hurled 

it  into  the  air  " 

(Hokusai) 


The  Three  Devils  247 

evidence,"  commanded  Hideyoshi:  "Recount  further 
the  history  of  the  prisoner." 

Whereupon  Jude  poured  forth  such  a  tissue  of  mali- 
cious lies,  as  made  me  doubt  if  he  were  not  Satan  in- 
carnate. According  to  his  tale  we  had  completely 
changed  characters.  I,  as  Kosenya,  was  the  scape- 
goat for  his  many  crimes :  First,  I  had  rapt  from  Korea 
a  princess  whom  I  held  as  paramour.  Second,  I  had 
supplied  the  Monastery  of  Hiei-zan  with  Devil's  Dust; 
Third,  I  had  betrayed  Nobunaga  to  his  assassins,  and 
Fourth,  under  the  guise  of  preaching  the  faith,  I  had 
sown  sedition  throughout  the  land. 

"I  have  sentenced  many  a  man  on  less  evidence," 
smiled  Hideyoshi.  Though  thoti  dost  merit  instant 
death,  yet  will  I  grant  thee  one  last  chance. 

"Trample  upon  the  cross  in  token  thou  dost  abjure 
the  evil  faith  and  I  will  set  thee  free!" 

Jude  whispered  something  in  the  ear  of  the  General. 

"Nay,  one  more  condition,"  cried  Hideyoshi. 

"Renounce  forever  and  deliver  into  my  hands  the 
Korean  Princess  Azalea!  Dost  thou  consent?" 

"Never,"  I  cried,  "were  I  to  suffer  an  hundred 
deaths!" 

Hideyoshi's  eyes  flashed  flame,  and  he  muttered  a 
string  of  foul  imprecations.  Seeing  that  I  was  not  to 
be  shaken  he  resumed: 

"Since  the  criminal  persists  in  denying  his  guilt, 
lead  him  to  the  torture-chamber!  Should  he  confess, 


248  Old  Japan 

let  him  be  beheaded  as  a  political  offender!  If  he  still 
denies  his  crime,  let  him  be  crucified  as  a  Krishitan 
before  the  eyes  of  his  deluded  converts,  that,  as  they 
mark  his  sightless  eyeballs  upturned  in  vain  entreaty 
to  a  powerless  god  they  may  take  warning  by  his 
fate!" 


VII 

IN  TUAS  MANAS 

Thou  standest  at  the  brink.     Behind  thee  lie 
Fair  flower-decked  meads  and  rivers  of  delight, 
With  reach  of  verdured  hill  and  valley  bright, 
Which  men  call  Life.     Lo,  now  before  thee  nigh 
Yawneth  an  unknown  lake  of  dread  infinity! 
And,  as  thou  cowerest  there  in  sore  affright, 
Thou  tremblest  lest  some  vague,  malignant  might 
Should  thrust  thee  in  the  dark  abyss  to  die. 

Fear  not,  within  these  depths  hides  Mercy,  Friend! 
For  he  who  wove  the  fabric  of  the  wold 
Bedecked  the  darksome  pool  with  blossoms  rare. 
Plunge  boldly  in,  nor  fear  the  waters  cold! 
Life's  meadows  know  not  death  nor  any  end 
E'en  the  black  mire  is  white  with  lilies  fair. 

Transcribed  from  The  Japan  Magazine. 

Here  endeth  the  chronicle  of  Brother  Paul.  With  it 
I  found  a  letter  traced  in  the  blood  of  his  wounded 
hands. 


The  Three  Devils  249 

To  AZALEA, 

Abbess  of  the  Bleeding  Heart. 
BELOVED  SISTER: 

Hideyoshi  with  a  band  of  warriors  hath  set  forth  to  sack 
thy  convent. 

Disperse  thy  flock  and  hasten  to  the  harbour,  where  thou 
wilt  find  my  old  friend  Mendez  Pinto,  who  will  convey  thee 
in  safety  to  Portugal. 

Tarry  not,  but  flee.  On  the  morrow  I  shall  have  gone 
whither  no  evil  may  befall. 

And  so  God  give  thee  grace  to  endure  till  thou  findest 
me  in  Paradise. 

Thine  ANJIRO. 

Winter 

When  falls  from  out  an  ebon  clouded  sky 

The  snow's  white  petals,  fluttering  down  in  showers, 

Meseems,  somewhere  beyond  the  gloom  doth  lie 
Eternal  Spring-tide,  bright  with  festal  flowers ! 

FUKAYABU. 

The  long,  long  night  was  over;  in  the  heavens  the 
stars  were  paling;  a  wan  luminance  whitened  the 
leaden  sky. 

A  cock  crew,  first  timidly  as  if  in  doubt  as  to  the  day, 
then  confidently  with  zestful  flapping  of  wings.  The 
hour  was  rife  with  rumours,  a  mystic  undertone  of 
vague  foreboding  wails.  Now  and  again  from  a 
distant  farmstead  came  the  lowing  of  cows  and  bleat 
of  baby  lambs.  The  rose  of  dawn  was  bursting  into 
flame. 


250  Old  Japan 

Then  over  the  purple  hills  rang  clear  and  sonorous 
the  boom  of  a  mission  bell,  the  Angelus  of  Brother 
Paul. 

Up  the  steep  path  that  mounted  to  the  little  chapel 
I  wended  my  eager  way.  The  door  was  open,  the 
guttering  tapers  threw  their  feeble  rays  upon  a  form- 
less mass. 

Drawing  nearer  I  beheld  a  cross,  shaped  like  that  of 
Saint  Andrew.  Upon  it,  lashed  hand  and  foot,  stretched 
a  body  transfixed  by  bloody  spears. 

On  the  wan  face,  uplifted  to  the  dawn,  was  no  trace 
of  fear  or  agony,  only  a  childlike  smile,  "the  peace  that 
passeth  understanding. " 

Half  buried  in  the  snow  at  the  martyr's  feet  crouched 
a  white-faced  woman,  her  hands  clasped  about  the 
cross  in  an  agony  of  despair,  her  glazed  eyes  turned 
heavenward  in  vain  appeal. 

I  strove  to  raise  her,  but  the  frozen  limbs  refused  to 
move. 

"Azalea!"  I  cried  repeatedly,  but  the  wan  lips  gave 
no  answer. 

"In  tuas  manas,  Domini,"  I  murmured.  "The 
long,  long  night  is  over.  Thou  hast  found  eternal 
day!" 

My  God,  I  love  thee — not  because 

I  hope  for  heaven  thereby: 
Nor  yet  for  fear,  if  I  love  not, 

I  must  for  ever  die. 


The  Three  Devils  251 

But,  O  my  Jesu,  thou  didst  me 

Upon  the  cross  embrace; 
For  me  didst  bear  the  nails  and  spear, 

And  manifold  disgrace, 
And  griefs  and  torments  numberless, 

And  sweat  of  agony, 
E'en  death  itself;  and  all  for  me 

Who  was  thine  enemy! 

Then  why,  0  blessed  Jesu  Christ, 

Should  I  not  love  thee  well? 
Not  for  the  hope  of  winning  heaven 

Nor  of  escaping  hell; 
Not  with  the  hope  of  gaining  aught 

Not  seeking  a  reward; 
But  as  thyself  hast  loved  me, 

0  ever-loving  Lord! 

E'en  so  I  love  thee,  and  will  love, 

And  in  thy  praise  will  sing; 
Solely  because  thou  art  my  God, 

And  my  eternal  King. 

FRANCIS  XAVIER. 


CHAPTER  IX 

THE  QUEST  OF  LIFE 

I 
THE    BARRED    GATE 

HPHE  mighty  Shogun  leyasu  lay  upon  his  death-bed. 
•*  In  a  sudden  flash  of  conscious'ness  he  turned  his 
glazing  eyes  upon  his  little  grandson. 
'  ' '  Take, ' '  *  he  gasped, ' '  Heed  my  dying  counsel.  Three 
barbarian  devils  have  invaded  Dai  Nippon:  Gun- 
powder, Christianity,  and  the  Portuguese.  The  first 
have  I  made  an  ally  against  the  rest.  Our  land  is 
now  secure  from  the  last,  but  the  Evil  Sect,  expelled 
to  the  Spanish  Isles,  doth  return  in  secret  to  corrupt 
our  credulous  folk.  Wherefore,  my  child,  thou  must 
for  ever  bar  the  door." 

Springing  to  his  feet,  the  boy  swiftly  closed  the 
shoji.  "Look,  Grandfather, "  he  laughed,  "there  is  not 
a  cranny  where-through  the  devils  may  enter. '\ 

1  Pet  name  for  lemitsu. 

252 


The  Quest  of  Life  253 

' '  Tis  well, ' '  approved  the  Shogun.  ' '  Let  them  ne'er 
be  opened. " 

His  eyes  closed.  A  smile  fluttered  on  his  grim  lips.  The 
mighty  leyasu  lay  in  the  grasp  of  the  inexorable  Master. 

The  Funeral 

Down  sinuous  streets  the  cortege  gaily  trails, 
Led  by  bald  bonzes  clad  in  purple  frieze 
Loosing  aloft  great  banners  to  the  breeze, 
Gorgeous  with  glyptic  gold,  like  galley  sails. 
Mild  mousmees  follow,  wreathed  in  rosy  veils 
With  lotus-bloom  bedight,  from  neck  to  knees, 
Swarming  about  the  chrysalis  like  bees, 
Wherefrom  the  spirit  shed  its  silken  scales. 

Then  mourners  file  on  foot,  a  motley  crew, 
Masking  their  smiles  with  ill-pretended  sighs, 
Beneath  huge  parasols  of  every  hue, 
Blazoned  with  flying  storks  and  butterflies. 
Incongruous  appears  this  festive  funeral, 
So  little  bitter  death  it  doth  recall ! 

Amid  a  group  of  onlookers  stood  a  craftsman  holding 
upon  his  shoulder  a  little  girl.  To  her  childish  fancy 
this  never-ending  procession  up  the  sinuous  streets  of 
Kunozan  seemed  a  festive  fairy  pageant. 

lemitsu  spied  the  little  maid  and,  spurring  his  pony 
forward,  smilingly  offered  her  a  white  peony. 

He  remembered  how  his  grandfather  had  once  taken 
him  to  a  temple,  and  pointing  out  among  the  carvings 
a  lion  surrounded  by  peonies  had  said : 


254  Old  Japan 

"The  peony  is  the  queen  of  flowers,  even  as  the  lion  is 
king  of  beasts." 

Presenting  the  blossom  leraitsu  murmured  gal- 
lantly: "Behold  thy  name,  beauteous  Princess  Peony." 

Smiling  timidly  the  little  maid  took  the  gift.  "White 
Peony  shall  be  my  name,"  she  replied  as  the  boy 
galloped  swiftly  away. 

The  moonlight  flooded  his  chamber,  a  restlessness 
possessed  him,  and,  stealing  out  of  the  castle,  he  strode 
into  the  forest.  The  glamour  of  its  lanterns  illumined 
the  gloom,  and  woke  in  the  lad's  mind  a  sentiment  of 
mysterious  awe.  He  half  hoped  that  his  grandsire's 
spirit  might  burst  its  brazen  sepulchre  and  descend 
the  long  flight  of  steps  to  meet  him. 

He  was  turning  back  crestfallen  from  his  vain  and 
ghostless  quest  when  a  sound  as  of  a  child  sobbing 
broke  upon  his  ear. 

"Where  art  thou,  darling?  Come  to  me,  else  my 
heart  will  break?"  moaned  the  voice. 

"I  come,  sweet  child,"  cried  the  lad  compassion- 
ately. Was  he  bewitched,  he  wondered,  was  it  a 
goblin  luring  him  to  his  lair? 

Again  the  elfin  voice  called,  "Take,  Take,  I  was 
talking  to  Amber.  She  hath  run  away,  help  me  to  find 
her." 

The  bushes  parted  and  White  Peony  stood  beside 
him. 


The  Quest  of  Life  255 

"Thou  must  return,"  he  commanded  manfully. 
"Little  maids  should  not  wander  forth  by  night." 

"I  am  not  affrighted,"  she  protested,  "and  'tis  not 
dark.  See,  there  is  the  moon."  She  broke  into  a 
little  nursery  song : 

"Lady  Moon,  Lady  Moon,  peep  out  again, 

Open  thy  shoji.     A  cat  and  a  rat 
Scamper  now  swiftly,  o'er  mountain  and  plain, 

Bearing  of  sake  a  wonderful  vat. 
Lady  Moon,  Lady  Moon,  peep  out  again. " 

"Old  wives'  tattle, "  flouted  the  lad,  with  the  superi- 
ority of  his  sex.  "In  the  moon  are  no  cats.  They  be 
base,  degraded  beasts." 

"Cats  be  not  beasts,"  retorted  Peony.  "Amber  is 
my  own  child.  When  she  dieth  she  will  be  a  Buddha, 
and  will  live  in  the  moon." 

"Stupid!  Cats  become  goblins.  They  haunt  tombs 
and  devour  corpses,  that  they  may  return  to  life  in 
their  likenesses." 

"'Tis  false!  My  Amber  ne'er  would  do  so  foul  a 
deed.  She  is  an  angel  cat,  with  more  wit  than  horrid, 
teasing  boys." 

Of  a  sudden  a  bloodcurdling  howl  rent  the  stilly 
night,  and  the  angel  cat  leapt  upon  her  mistress. 

Mistaking  the  pet  for  some  malign  brute  lemitsu 
chivalrously  strove  to  wrest  it  from  her  shoulders. 

With  a  demoniac  snarl  the  infuriated  cat  buried  its 


256  Old  Japan 

claws  in  his  throat.  Crazed  with  pain  the  lad  tore  it 
off  and  trampled  it  to  death. 

"Assassin!"  cried  the  little  maid,  "thou  hast  slain 
my  angel  Amber.  My  child!  My  beautiful  child! 
Odious  monster,  I  ne'er  will  speak  to  thee 
again!" 

Clasping  her  pet,  White  Peony  ran  weeping  away, 
while  sullen  and  abashed  the  boy  strode  slowly  home- 
ward. 

II 

THE  PILGRIMAGE 

Whan  that  Aprille  with  his  shoures  soote 
The  droghte  of  March  hath  perced  to  the  roote, 
And  bathed  every  veyne  in  swich  licour, 
Of  which  vertu  engendred  is  the  flour; 
Whan  Zephyrus  eek  with  his  swete  breeth 
Inspired  hath  in  every  holt  and  heeth 
The  tendre  croppes,  and  the  yonge  sonne 
Hath  in  the  Ram  his  halfe  cours  yronne, 
And  smale  foweles  maken  melodye 
That  slepen  al  the  nyght  with  open  eye, 
So  pryketh  hem  nature  in  hir  corages; 
Thanne  longen  folk  to  goon  on  pilgrimages. 

CHAUCER. 

A  score  of  years  have  passed,  and  the  boy,  grown  to 
manhood  reigns  all-powerful  Shogun  of  Japan. 

Implicitly  had  he  obeyed  the  last  counsels  of  his 
grandfather.  Believing  that  the  Jesuits  were  but 


The  Quest  of  Life  257 

emissaries  of  Philip  Second  he  had  posted  at  every  cross- 
road the  following  proclamation : 

So  long  as  the  sun  shall  warm  the  earth,  let  no  Christian 
be  so  bold  as  to  come  to  Japan;  and  let  all  know  that  the 
King  of  Spain  himself,  or  the  Christian's  god,  or  the  great 
god  of  all,  if  he  violate  this  command,  shall  pay  for  it  with 
his  head. 


Nippon  was  now  as  wholly  isolated  from  the  world 
as  the  lonely  Shogun  from  his  light-hearted  folk. 

He  burned  with  a  flaming  desire  to  share  their 
humble  joys  and  sorrows.  He  craved  a  life  that  would 
bring  into  full  play  a  stalwart  body  and  a  subtle  mind. 
Relinquishing  his  lofty  office  he  would  make  trial  of  his 
strength,  and,  a  simple  man  among  men,  risk  his  throw 
in  the  great  hazard  Life. 

At  dawn  lemitsu  went  to  the  stables  and  lovingly 
patted  his  great  black  destrier  farewell.  The  stallion 
was  too  well  known  and  he  selected  instead  a  fleet  and 
slender  mare.  Mounting  hastily  he  rode  out  into  the 
vast  unknown.  Twilight  shrouded  the  sleeping  city  in 
a  veil  of  opal  mist.  The  streets  and  gardens  were 
deserted,  vague,  and  mysterious. 

It  was  late  April;  the  great  festival  of  Inari1  would 
take  place  at  Kyoto  in  May.  Already  pilgrims  were 
setting  out  for  the  imperial  city  to  witness  the  pro- 

1  Inari,  the  Fox  God,  was  also  god  of  rice,  of  sword-smiths,  and  of 
thieves. 
17 


258  Old  Japan 

cessions,  horse  races,  and  contests  of  swordsmanship. 
No  festival  was  dearer  to  the  popular  heart  or  cele- 
brated with  more  joyous  abandon.  lemitsu  deter- 
mined to  make  pilgrimage  thither  in  the  guise  of  a 
simple  samurai,  absconding  from  his  shogunate  with 
the  eagerness  of  a  schoolboy  stealing  a  holiday. 

Silently  he  crossed  the  palace  moat,  and,  traversing 
an  avenue  of  cherry-trees,  entered  the  quarter  of  the 
artisans.  Here  he  chanced  upon  two  men  engaged  in 
lively  altercation  before  a  newly  lettered  sign. 

The  complainant,  a  dealer  in  horses,  was  roundly 
rating  his  painter  for  omitting  a  dot  in  the  ideograph 
denoting  horse : 

"That  animal  hath  four  legs,  hath  he  not?  Thou 
hast  made  but  three!  People  will  laugh  me  to  scorn, 
saying  that  I  deal  in  crippled  beasts.  Get  thee  hence, 
rascal,  fetch  thy  ladder  and  mend  thy  work." 

"That  shall  I  not,"  retorted  the  painter  of  the  sign. 

"Then  no  money  shalt  thou  have  from  me." 

"Nay,  not  so  hasty,  good  sir;  I  shall  speedily  correct 
the  fault ,  but  verily  I  have  no  need  of  a  ladder.  Behold !' ' 
Whereupon  the  artist  dipped  a  brush,  poised  it  between 
his  thumb  and  forefinger,  and  with  a  dexterous  fillip 
hurled  it  into  the  air. 

It  described  a  flying  somersault,  smote  the  sign,  and 
fell;  but  in  its  brief  impact  the  brush  had  placed  the 
missing  dot  in  exact  position. 

"Bravo,"  cried  lemitsu. 


V 

o>  ~ 

ll 

•d  .0 


w,    fl 


•o  ^2 

11 
"e  •** 

Is 


o 

•s 


. 

I 

tk 

•o 

i 

i 

D 

I 


12   5 

2  ^ 

In  -3 
d"*® 

•as 


it 


The  Quest  of  Life  259 

The  dealer's  jaw  fell  in  mute  astonishment  and  he 
grudgingly  counted  out  the  painter's  hire. 

"How  art  thou  called,  my  young  magician?"  asked 
the  Shogun,  regarding  the  artist  shrewdly. 

"Jingoro,  at  thy  service,  worthy  Sir."    . 

"Thy  service  would  greatly  content  me,"  assented 
lemitsu.  "In  faith  I  sorely  need  a  squire,  and  if  thou 
art  minded  to  journey  with  me  on  a  merry  pilgrimage  I 
shall  not  haggle  over  thy  wage." 

"Gladly  will  I  go  withthee,  sweet  Sir,  for  I  perceive 
that  thou  art  a  valiant  samurai.  I  doubt  not  I  shall 
tumble  into  choice  adventures ;  but  first,  with  thy  good 
lief,  we  will  seek  certain  instruments  of  my  craft 
wherewith  we  may  earn  a  dinner  upon  the  road  if  thy 
purse  be  light." 

Jingoro  led  the  Shogun  to  his  workshop,  where 
bloomed  a  garden  of  sculptured  peonies  and  painted 
peacocks  preened  their  lacquered  plumes. 

"Worker  of  wonders,"  marvelled  lemitsu,  "I  would 
that  the  Shogun  might  see  thy  handiwork." 

The  artist  smiled  scornfully:  "The  great  leyasu  was 
pleased  to  commend  my  paltry  talent;  but  thy  master 
lemitsu  is  a  witling  who  knoweth  not  genius  when 
he  setteth  eyes  thereon." 

"I  call  no  man  master,  Sirrah,"  stormed  the 
Shogun. 

"If  thou  be  a  freelance  wherefore  wearest  thou  the 
Tokugawa  crest?"  questioned  the  artisan.  "Caitiff, 

17  J 


260  Old  Japan 

thou  didst  steal  thine  armour.  Not  one  step  will  I  go 
withthee,  thief!" 

"Nay,  my  good  man,  I  came  by  it  honestly; 
yet  since  I  am  a  ronin,  I  would  fain  rid  me  of  this 
device." 

"Two  dabs  of  my  brush — thus,  and  thou  art  now  a 
masterless  man,"  rejoined  Jingoro,  suiting  the  act  to 
the  words. 

"Hast  thou  a  fitting  mount?"  queried  lemitsu,  "for 
in  sooth  my  squire  must  not  trudge  afoot." 

"Better  than  horse  have  I,"  boasted  Jingoro,  "for 
Brindle,  my  bullock,  can  bear  more  grievous  loads,  and, 
pricked  by  the  goad,  whisk  his  tail  in  the  face  of  any 
steed. " 

"'Tis  a  quaint  mount,"  smiled  the  Shogun  within 
himself,  "still  so  much  the  better,  since  none  will 
suspect  who  goeth  thus  escorted."  Then  jauntily — 
"Bravo,  my  gallant  defender.  Caparison  thy  charger, 
and  let  us  to  the  road." 

lemitsu  and  his  sculptor-squire  jogged  merrily  along 
the  Tokaido.1 

Lithe  and  gleaming  the  long  highway  uncoiled  before 
them  like  a  serpent.  It  wound  its  sinuous  folds  around 
wind-swept  cliffs  and  surf-lashed  promontories.  It 
meandered  through  flowery  moors  and  watery  rice 

'The  Tokaido  ("the  Eastern  Sea  Road")  which  united  Kyoto,  the 
ancient  capital,  with  Yedo  (Tokio),  the  city  of  the  Tokugawa  Shoguns. 


The  Quest  of  Life  261 

plains.  It  undulated  over  naked  knolls  and  pine-clad 
uplands  till  it  lost  itself  in  distant  forest  gloom. 

Near  and  far  the  highway  was  thronged  with  a  host 
of  wayfarers — daimios  in  palanquins,  escorted  by 
mounted  samurai,  throwing  clouds  of  dust  into  the  eyes 
of  lowly  foot-passengers;  merchants  belabouring  jaded 
pack-mules,  and  labourers,  laden  with  faggots  tramp- 
ing stolidly  homeward,  their  naked  shoulders  glistening 
with  the  sweat  of  toil. 

"An  we  find  an  inn,"  pledged  Jingoro,  "I  vow  to 
Inari  a  torii  built  of  steel. " 

"That  were  a  strange  and  costly  gift,"  marvelled 
the  Shogun. 

"Pst!"  whispered  the  artisan  behind  his  hand,  "'tis 
simply  done;  thus  " — and  taking  three  needles  he  set  two 
uprights  in  the  earth  and  crossed  the  third  above  them. 

"Trickster,"  laughed  lemitsu.  "Inari  send  the 
hostlery  soon,  for  I  perish  of  hunger." 

Doubtless  the  Fox  God  condoned  Jingoro's  jest  for, 
rounding  a  turn,  they  came  upon  a  tavern.  The  court- 
yard swarmed  with  samurai  bearing  the  Owari  crest. 

Loth  to  encounter  the  daimio,  lemitsu  demanded 
that  his  repast  be  served  behind  a  screen. 

He  gulped  his  seaweed  soup,  and  was  greedily  devour- 
ing a  freshly  broiled  tai  when  a  troop  of  horsemen  entered. 

The  raucous  voice  of  their  leader  lemitsu  knew  for 
that  of  Matsakura,  daimio  of  Arima,  a  knave  and 
miscreant  whose  malversations  were  renowned. 


262  Old  Japan 

"Methought  when  last  I  met  thee,  pretty  Prince," 
said  the  newcomer,  "thou  hadst  no  mind  so  soon  to 
visit  Yedo." 

"A  solemn  duty  summoneth  me  thither,"  assented 
Owari  pompously. 

"Such  as  the  purchase  of  a  poodle  for  the  Princess?-" 
chaffed  the  other. 

"Nay,  a  mandate  from  our  beloved  Shogun, "  re- 
torted the  Prince  with  irony. 

lemitsu  pricked  his  ears  and  crouched  closer  to  a 
rent  in  the  screen  that  he  might  better  play  the  eaves- 
dropper. 

"Listen, "  cried  the  Prince,  "I  will  read  thee  a  letter: 

"  To  the  PRINCE  OF  OWARI: 

"TRUSTED  AND  BELOVED  KINSMAN: 
"  I  am  about  to  quit  Yedo  upon  a  secret  quest.     During 
my  absence  I  desire  thee  to  assume  the  responsibilities  of 
the  shogunate,  which,  in  the  event  of  my  death,  may  one 
day  fall  upon  thy  shoulders. 
"  In  the  bonds  of  secrecy. 

"  IEMITSU." 

"He  is  mad,"  laughed  Matsakura.  "Truly  he  is 
possessed  by  a  fox." 

"Of  a  surety,"  assented  Owari,  "and  must  be 
trapped  and  skinned." 

"I  am  not  an  Eta  to  slay  and  flay,"  growled  the 
bravo. 

"Nor  I,"  retorted  Owari,  "yet  is  his  pelt  a  rich  one, 


The  Quest  of  Life  263 

and  one  may  hunt  with  hounds  what  we  would  disdain 
to  slaughter  with  our  own  hands." 

"And  if  I  put  my  pack  upon  the  scent,  what  share 
of  the  game  have  I,  but  carrion?"  demanded  Matsa- 
kura,  "since  the  pelt  falleth  on  thy  shoulders. " 

The  Prince  pondered.  "There  is  a  little  trifle 
pending,  the  mur — err — we  will  say  the  disappearance 
of  a  certain  Christian  daimio,  whose  seigniory  thou  now 
holdest.  We  will  imagine  the  affair  forgotten. " 

The  bravo  bowed.  ' '  I  will  slay  the  fox, ' '  he  promised, 
"though  I  hunt  through  hell." 

"Search  the  hells  of  Yedo,"  chuckled  the  Prince, 
"none  should  know  them  better  than  thou!" 

' '  The  morrow, ' '  agreed  Matsakura.  ' '  I  have  business 
this  night. " 

"A  love-tryst?"  leered  Owari. 

"Yea,  though  my  mistress  weeneth  it  not." 

"Beware  lest  coursing  two  foxes  thou  miss  the  nobler 
quarry  and  art  trapped  by  the  vixen. " 

"Never  fear,  I  shall  bag  them  both,"  bragged  the 
bravo,  swaggering  from  the  room. 


Ill 


HOW  THE  SHOGUN  IN  HIS  OWN  DESPITE  BECAME  A  SQUIRE 

OF  DAMES 

"Have  the  rogues  departed?"  whispered  lemitsu. 
"Yea,  Master,"  Jingoro  rejoined  tremblingly,  "the 


264  Old  Japan 

Prince  hath  gone;  but  Matsakura  and  his  henchmen 
bide,  as  goodly  a  band  of  cutthroats  as  e'er  mine  eyes 
beheld.  But  now  the  daimio  did  pour  into  the  palm  of 
mine  host  a  stream  of  gold  rios,  bidding  him,  like  the 
three  monkeys,  this  night  neither  speak,  hear,  nor  see!" 

"I  trust  thou  art  not  affrighted, "  smiled  the  Shogun 
reassuringly. 

"Nay,  Master,  but  yet  misliketh  me  their  monkey 
tricks;  for  in  the  chamber  adjoining  thine  bideth  a 
lone  and  lovely  damsel." 

"Alone  in  this  nest  of  hornets!"  exclaimed  lemitsu 
indignantly.  "No  maid  may  bide  by  night  beneath 
the  same  roof  with  that  scoundrel  and  keep  her  name 
unsullied.  Listen,  Friend,  eavesdropping  behind  the 
screen  I  discovered  Matsakura  and  the  Prince  conspir- 
ing 'gainst  my  life.  Fear  not,  but  heed  what  I  com- 
mand. When  all  is  still,  saddle  our  mounts  and  wait 
in  yonder  grove.  Perchance  we  may  yet  deliver  the 
maid." 

The  Shogun  hastened  to  his  chamber.  Faintly 
through  the  shoji  came  a  stifled  sobbing.  lemitsu 
pondered.  It  woke  within  his  slumbrous  memory  a 
vague  forgotten  voice.  He  tapped  softly  and  the 
sound  suddenly  ceased. 

He  strove  to  thrust  the  partition  aside,  but  the  voice 
cried  imperiously: 

"Dare  not  to  enter  else  will  I  throw  myself  into  the 
sea!" 


The  Quest  of  Life  265 

"In  pity  hear  me,"  he  pleaded  insistently.  "Thou 
art  in  peril  and  I  fain  would  aid  thee." 

An  eye  peered  stealthily  through  the  crevice.  Then 
the  voice  murmured : 

"Jesu  be  praised,  who  hath  sent  thee  to  mine  aid.' 

With  a  crashing  sword  stroke  he  splintered  the  frail 
partition  and  entered. 

A  sudden  cry  of  alarm  rang  from  a  startled  sentry. 

"Quick!"  cried  lemitsu,  "the  hounds  yelp  at  our 
heels." 

Tearing  her  kimono  in  strips  and  braiding  it  in  a  rope, 
the  maiden  fastened  it  to  the  balcony.  ' '  To  the  ravine ! ' ' 
she  whispered,  "the  road  swarms  with  samurai." 

Down  sprang  lemitsu  and  the  maid  followed,  clamber- 
ing, slipping,  swaying  till  she  reached  the  extremity  of 
the  rope.  Full  two  lance  lengths  lay  between  her  and 
the  river-bed. 

"Leap,"  urged  lemitsu,  stretching  forth  his  hands. 
The  maiden  hesitated  for  an  instant,  then  with  a  little 
cry  fell  swooning  in  his  arms. 

Clasping  his  light  burden  lemitsu  plunged  into  a 
thicket  of  tall  bamboo.  Scarce  had  he  advanced  a 
dozen  paces  when  he  heard  the  crashing  of  branches 
behind  him. 

Wheeling  upon  his  heel  he  found  himself  suddenly 
confronted  by  a  masked  samurai. 

1 ' Matsakura ! "  he  laughed.  "By  good  fortune  I  have 
found  the  very  man  I  would  meet. " 


266  Old  Japan 

The  sword  of  the  daimio  flashed  a  semicircle,  but 
springing  deftly  aside  the  Shogun  smote  him  upon  the 
temple  with  mailed  fist.  He  fell  like  a  stone,  his 
armour  clanging  upon  the  ground. 

"Is  he  dead?"  gasped  the  maiden,  pallid  with 
terror. 

"Nay,"  smiled  lemitsu,  "but  somewhiles  will  he 
bide  quiet."  Then  turning  to  the  girl  he  asked 
gallantly:  "Who  art  thou,  my  fair  and  nameless 
Lady?" 

"Lord,  I  am  called  White  Peony,  hither  faring  in 
quest  of  my  father, "  she  answered  simply. 

"Come  with  me,  Peony,  and  I  will  aid  thee  in  thy 
pilgrimage, "  he  pleaded. 

Nothing  speaking,  with  eyes  abased,  the  maid  as- 
sented, toddling  beside  him  with  little  limping  steps. 
Her  feet  were  clad  only  in  thin  cloven  tabi,  scant  protec- 
tion from  the  rough  stones  over  which  she  toiled. 
Nevertheless  the  maid  plodded  on  uncomplainingly, 
until,  swaying  as  about  to  fall : 

"Suffer  me  to  rest  a  little  space,  good  my  Lord," 
she  panted. 

"Nay,  Peony,  I  shall  bear  thee,"  he  protested, 
lifting  her  tenderly.  Her  head  drooping  upon  his 
shoulder,  her  sweet  breath  fanning  his  cheek,  lemitsu 
bore  the  maiden  to  the  grove  where  in  the  shadows 
waited  Jingoro. 

With  a  sudden  laugh  of  delight  she  ran  to  the  sculp- 


The  Quest  of  Life  267 

tor.     "My  father,"  she  cried,  sobbing  for  very  joy, 
"have  I  truly  found  thee?" 

"My  little  Peony,  my  White  Peony,"  murmured 
Jingoro  gently,  tears  welling  in  his  eyes. 

lemitsu  stood  at  gaze,  bewildered  by  the  conscious- 
ness that  fate  had  revealed  to  him  the  object  of  his 
quest. 

"Strange,"  he  pondered,  "its  appeal  lay  for  me  in 
freedom  from  human  ties; — yet  here  is  a  distressed 
maiden  thrown  unsought  upon  my  chivalry;  and  rny 
only  misgiving  is  the  fear  lest  she  vanish  as  suddenly  as 
she  came!" 

;    Converting  his  cloak  into  a  pillion  he  invited  the 
maiden  to  mount  behind  him. 

"By  thy  leave,  good  my  Lord,  I  would  fain  ride 
upon  Brindle, "  she  replied  modestly.  "The  bullock 
knows  me.  See  how  he  licks  my  hand." 

Well  pleased  to  secure  her  company  on  any  terms, 
lemitsu  transferred  the  pillion  to  the  bullock  and  seated 
White  Peony  gallantly  thereon. 

Grey  Shinto  shrines  blurred  here  and  there  the  mossy 
tapestry  of  trees.  Palpitating  in  the  sunlight  like  a 
gleaming  mirror  stretched  interminable  rice  fields, 
their  turbid  waters  spotted  with  smears  of  green.  A 
lonely  stork  winged  its  zigzag  flight  across  the  sky. 
Pale  lotus  buds  peered  from  out  crumpled  pads,  while 


268  Old  Japan 

nude  peasants,  knee  deep  in  the  mire,  bent  their  bronze 
backs  beneath  the  sun. 

"Thou  wilt  not  return  to  Yedo?"  demanded  lemitsu. 

"Never,"  she  answered  firmly,  "so  long  as  Matsakura 
bideth  there." 

"A  most  sweet  and  treacherous  knave,"  commented 
lemitsu  drily. 

Peony  only  smiled  sadly. 

"The  daimio  of  Arima, "  explained  Jingoro,  "sent  a 
go-between  to  demand  my  daughter  in  marriage;  but 
she  would  none  of  him,  wherefore  I  thought  the  matter 
ended,  else  would  I  not  have  left  Yedo." 

"But  that  very  morning,"  resumed  the  maiden, 
"Matsakura  sent  me  a  letter  bidding  me  meet  him 
secretly,  wherefore  I  fled  from  Yedo  seeking  thee." 

"Yet  is  he  a  great  and  wealthy  lord.  Wouldst  thou 
not  be  happy  as  his  lady?"  asked  lemitsu  wonderingly. 

The  maiden  shuddered.  "Nay  my  Lord,  to  the 
Christians  he  is  merciless." 

Suddenly  she  clutched  her  father's  arm  and  hid  her 
face  upon  his  shoulder.  A  ragged  ronin  was  resting  his 
hard-ridden  nag  by  the  roadside.  As  they  neared 
he  turned,  glanced  shiftily  at  them,  then  spurred 
furiously  toward  the  inn. 

"One  of  Matsakura's  sentinels,"  smiled  lemitsu; 
"we  would  best  press  forward  ere  we  are  overtaken." 

'  'Ware,  Master,"  warned  Jingoro,  "an  we  go  forward 
we  fall  into  the  hands  of  more  of  these  gentry.     See, 


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The  Quest  of  Life  269 

here  are  fresh  hoofprints  of  a  troop  of  horse,  and  me- 
thinks  I  discern  yonder  the  glint  of  halberds.  We  are 
trapped,  nathless  I  will  essay  to  hew  for  ye  a  passage." 
"Nay!  valiant  squire,  when  one  is  not  strong,  needs 
must  one  be  crafty.  We  will  double  on  our  tracks 
like  sly  foxes,  and  take  the  mountain  trail  we  passed 
upon  our  right  an  hour  syne.  The  spy  will  tell  Mat- 
sakura  that  he  met  us  beyond  it.  Thus  shall  we  throw 
the  hounds  from  the  scent  and  lie  in  covert  till  the 
course  be  clear." 

IV 

THE  HERMITAGE 

Fuji  San 

Our  stout-calved  kurumayas  groan  and  strain 
Beneath  the  burden  of  the  sedan-chair, 
As  up  the  steep  and  tortuous  trail  we  fare, 
Through  bamboo  thickets,  lush  with  tropic  rain, 
To  the  high  lake,  above  the  verdurous  plain, 
Where,  like  the  facets  of  a  diamond  rare, 
Hakone  flashes  in  the  summer  air, 
A  dazzling  jewel  without  flaw  or  stain. 

While  far  beyond,  the  slopes  of  Fuji  loom, 
Up-slanting  o'er  the  hills  aloof,  alone, 
Shimmer  of  snow  by  sunset  softly  kissed 
'Mid  shattered  shards  of  scudding  cloud,  its  cone 
Limned  like  the  lotus  that  beneath  it  bloom, 
A  vague,  inverted  fan  of  amethyst. 


270  Old  Japan 

Up  steep  and  sinuous  paths  they  toiled,  through 
groves  of  frail  bamboo  and  giant  cryptomeria,  by  grassy 
ways  and  stony  mountain-trails,  up,  ever  upward  to  a 
sapphire  lake  shrined  in  dim  purple  hills.  Above  its 
azure  waters,  floating  miraculously  in  the  sunset  sky, 
glimmered  a  shining  vision,  slope  rising  above  slope, 
height  towering  over  height,  in  ever  uplifting  might, 
enwrapt  in  a  mantle  of  roseate  cloud — loomed  Fuji- 
yama, Mountain  of  Eternal  Fire ! 

Descending,  they  fared  through  dusky  forests  till 
they  came  to  a  lonely  hermitage  beneath  whose  straw- 
thatched  shelter  sat  a  solitary  bonze. 

"Far  from  all  worldly  care  and  strife 

Remote  from  pomp  and  pride 
Let  me  pursue  my  peaceful  life, 
And  in  an  humble  hut  abide, 
On  some  lone  mountainside." 

(ARCHBISHOP  JIYEN.) 

Thus  droned  the  hermit. 

Then  the  instinct  of  acquisitiveness  overcoming  him, 
as  he  caught  sight  of  the  wayfarers,  he  solicited 
humbly: 

"I  have,  great  and  august  seigniors,  a  guest-house, 
with  noble  entertainment  for  man  and  beast,  furnished 
with  all  manner  of  bathing-pools,  both  cool  and  torrid, 
and  grateful  bowers  wherein  ye  may  repose  your  wearied 
limbs — for  but  a  paltry  pittance." 


The  Quest  of  Life  271 

"Well  met,  good  Hermit,"  rejoined  lemitsu  joy- 
ously, "for  we  be  both  sorely  famished  and  spent." 

The  bonze  led  them  to  a  cluster  of  cottages,  shrined 
amid  bosky  leafage  in  a  mossy  glen,  a  safe  retreat  from 
all  pursuers.  He  proved  a  most  assiduous  host,  serving 
his  guests  with  shoots  of  young  bamboo,  rice-cakes,  and 
goat's  milk;  while  Jingoro  lured  a  trout  from  the  moun- 
tain brook,  which  he  broiled  most  toothsomely. 

Hard  by  simmered  a  hot  spring  in  which  the  hermit 
was  wont  to  hibernate,  entering  with  First  Frost,  and 
never  quitting  it  until  Cherry-Bloom;  sleeping,  eating, 
and  dreaming  of  Nirvana,  the  while  steaming  torrents 
swirled  about  his  withered  limbs. 

Jingoro  took  up  mallet  and  chisel  to  carve  an  image 
of  his  daughter. 

"Why  canst  thou  not  portray  her  wistful  smile?" 
demanded  the  Shogun.  "E'en  her  eyebrow  hath  lost 
its  likeness  in  thy  pencilled  curve." 

The  sculptor  shrugged  and  hummed  an  ancient  saw: 

"A  maiden's  eyebrow  is  a  whetted  scythe  that 
moweth  down  the  mind  of  man." 

With  deft  strokes  of  his  brush  he  applied  a  lustrous 
lacquer  to  the  coils  of  blue-black  hair. 

"'Tis  but  a  sorry  likeness,"  still  insisted  lemitsu, 
"that  none  would  recognize." 

"Brindle,  my  bullock,  hath  more  wit  than  thou," 
bandied  the  carver.  "I  wager  thee  a  bowl  of  sake  that 


272  Old  Japan 

he  will  know  the  maid."  With  that  he  set  the  image 
upon  a  stone  lantern. 

Whereupon  the  bullock  ceased  his  cropping,  burst  his 
tether,  and,  snorting  gleefully,  galloped  to  the  statue. 
Lovingly  he  licked  the  painted  cheeks  and  lacquered 
tresses,  lowing  gently  the  while. 

lemitsu  gazed  in  round-eyed  wonder. 

"My  roguish  little  father  is  ever  at  his  tricks," 
laughed  White  Peony.  "He  hath  daubed  the  image 
with  brine  and  Brindle  is  daft  for  salt ! " 

On  a  day,  the  portrait  completed,  they  bade  their 
hermit-host  a  regretful  farewell  and  resumed  their 
journey. 

"No  longer  need  we  fear  the  hounds  of  Matsakura," 
chuckled  the  sculptor.  "They  have  coursed  in  pursuit 
of  other  game." 

"Wherefore  mounted  they  not  hither?"  demanded 
the  Shogun  bemused. ~ 

"Verily  thou  shalt  see  with  thine  own  eyes, "  grinned 
Jingoro,  pointing  to  a  newly  painted  sign  which  read: 

"Lazar  house  for  Lepers!" 


-OF  SUCH  IS  THE  KINGDOM 

In  Sai-no-Kawara,  land  of  the  Departed, 

The  little  white  spirits  of  dead  children  dwell. 

Remote  from  their  parents,  they  roam  broken-hearted 
On  the  pebble-strewn  shores  of  the  River  of  Hell. 


The  Quest  of  Life  273 

And  the  sound  of  their  cries  and  their  pitiful  moaning, 

Is  not  like  the  voices  of  children  alive. 
"0  Chichi,  Koishi!"  with  sobbing  and  groaning, 

"  Koishi!    Koishi! "  they  wail  as  they  strive; 

As  they  strive  at  the  pitiless  task  never-ending 
To  gather  white  stones  from  the  River  of  Souls. 

Each  day  thus  they  labour,  their  little  backs  bending, 
To  heap  up  great  towers  in  the  pebble-strewn  shoals. 

Pagodas  of  Love  for  their  father  and  mother 
They  toilsomely  build  in  the  bed  of  the  stream, 

Each  pebble  a  prayer  for  a  sister  or  brother 
Abiding  on  earth  in  the  sun's  joyous  gleam. 

From  daylight  till  dusk,  thus  they  toil  ever- weeping; 

But  soon  as  the  sun  sinketh  low  in  the  west ; 
Come  the  Oni,  the  demons  of  Hell,  never  sleeping, 

To  torture  their  victims  with  scoffing  and  jest. 

And  they  cast  down  the  towers  with  blows  of  the  hammer, 
And  they  shatter  the  shrines  which  each  child-ghost 
uprears, 

And  they  scatter  the  stones  with  a  terrible  clamour, 
When  Lo!    In  the  heavens  a  vision  appears! 

'Tis  Jizo,  the  gentle,  the  father  benignant, 
The  patron  of  children  who  fatherless  dwell 

In  Sai-no-Kawara  mid  spirits  malignant 
On  the  pebble-strewn  strand  of  the  River  of'Hell. 

"Too  soon  little  souls,  from  the  world  ye  departed 

To  Sai-no-Kawara  the  land  of  the  dead, 
Remote  from  your  parents  to  roam  broken-hearted. 

Children  mine  never  fear!"     Thus  the  good  Jizo  said. 
it 


274  Old  Japan 

Then  he  brandished  his  staff  and  the  demons  departed! 

Enfolding  his  robe  with  a  fatherly  grace 
He  takes  to  his  bosom  each  child  broken-hearted 

And  kisses  the  tears  from  its  sorrowful  face. 

And  they  cling  to  his  garments  no  longer  affrighted, 
Like  lambkins  they  gambol  and  sweetly  they  sing: 

"0  Chichi!    0  Jizo,  our  Father !"    Delighted, 
They  laughingly  dance  round  the  feet  of  their  King ! 

After  LAFCADIO  HEARN. 


Before  a  rock-carven  statue  of  Jizo  knelt  a  bereaved 
mother.  She  had  heaped  at  the  feet  of  the  Never 
Slumbering  God  her  little  pile  of  pebbles  and  was 
showering  thereon  her  tears,  crooning  the  whiles  a 
piteous  rune: 

'  Where  doth  my  little  child  to-night, 

Beneath  ne'er  darkening  skies, 
In  some  far  land  still  find  delight 
In  chasing  dragonflies?" 

(CHIYO.) 

As  though  in  answer  to  her  prayer,  from  the  face  of 
compassionate  Jizo  there  fluttered  down  a  golden 
dragonfly  to  the  sorrowing  su'ppliant. 

"Grieve  not,  dear  mother,"  cried  White  Peony, 
enfolding  the  weeping  woman  gently  in  her  arms. 
"Jesu  shall  bring  thy  lost  one  back  to  thee."  She 
moved  her  hand  slowly  from  brow  to  heart  and 
shoulder  to  shoulder  in  the  sign  of  the  cross. 


3  I 

o>     o 


On  a  dais  stood  White  Peony,  her  robe  bedight  with  gleaming  jewels  " 


The  Quest  of  Life  275 

lemitsu  gasped  in  consternation.  She  was  a  Chris- 
tian, one  whom  he  must  punish  with  banishment  or 
death. 

"Thou  wilt  not  betray  me  to  thy  master!"  she 
pleaded. 

"I  swear,"  vowed  the  unsuspected  Shogun,  "that  I 
will  keep  thy  secret.  I  love  thee  with  a  deathless 
flame;  I  will  renounce  my  hope  of  Nirvana  and  fight 
for  thine  evil  faith." 

She  laid  her  hand  in  his.  "  Jesu  will  give  thee  light," 
she  said,  "thou  shalt  know  it  is  not  evil." 

"Since  thou  dost  love  me,"  he  protested,  "there  is 
no  power  of  earth  or  heaven  can  part  us.  Let  us  go  to 
my  sister  in  Kyoto.  There  shall  we  be  wed,"  and 
he  smiled,  thinking  of  the  little  maid's  surprise  when 
she  should  know  his  sister  was  the  Empress. 

VI 

THE  PASSING  SHOW 

A  land  not  like  ours,  that  land  of  strange  flowers, 
Of  daemons  and  spooks  with  mysterious  powers — 

Of  gods  who  breathe  ice,  who  cause   peach-blooms   and 

rice, 
And  manage  the  moonshine  and  turn  on  the  showers. 

Each  day  has  its  fair  or  its  festival  there, 
And  life  seems  immune  to  all  trouble  and  care — 

Perhaps  only  seems,  in  that  island  of  dreams 
Sea-girdled  and  basking  in  magical  air. 


276  Old  Japan 

They've  streets  of  bazaars  filled  with  lacquers  and  jars, 
And  silk  stuffs,  and  sword-blades  that  tell  of  old  wars; 

They've  Fuji's  white  cone  looming  up,  bleak  and  lone, 
As  if  it  were  trying  to  reach  to  the  stars. 

They've  temples  and  gongs,  and  grim  Buddhas  in  throngs, 
And  pearl-powdered  geisha  with  dances  and  songs; 

Each  girl  at  her  back  has  an  imp,  brown  or  black, 
And  dresses  her  hair  in  remarkable  prongs. 

On  roadside  and  street  toddling  images  meet, 

And  smirk  and  kowtow  in  a  way  that  is  sweet; 
Their  obis  are  tied  with  particular  pride, 
.     Their  silken  kimonos  hang  scant  to  the  feet. 

With  purrs  like  a  cat  they  all  giggle  and  chat, 

Now  spreading  their  fans,  and  now  holding  them  flat; 

A  fan  by  its  play  whispers,  "Go  now!"  or  "Stay!" 
"I  hate  you ! "     "I  love  you ! " — a  fan  can  say  that ! 

Beneath  a  dwarf  tree,  here  and  there,  two  or  three 
Squat  coolies  are  sipping  small  cups  of  green  tea; 

They  splutter,  and  leer,  and  cry  out,  and  appear 
Like  bad  little  chessmen  gone  off  on  a  spree. 

At  night — ah,  at  night  the  long  streets  are  a  sight, 
With  garlands  of  soft-coloured  lanterns  alight — 
Blue,  yellow,  and  red  twinkling  high  overhead, 
1     Like  thousands  of  butterflies  taking  their  flight. 

Somewhere  in  the  gloom  that  no  lanterns  illume 
Stand  groups  of  slim  lilies  and  jonquils  in  bloom; 

On  tiptoe,  unseen  'mid  a  tangle  of  green, 

They  offer  the  midnight  their  cups  of  perfume. 


The  Quest  of  Life  277 

The  whiles,  sweet  and  clear  from  some  tea  garden  near, 
A  ripple  of  laughter  steals  out  to  your  ear; 

And  the  fragrant  wind  brings  from  a  samisen's  strings 
The  pathos  that's  born  of  a  smile  and  a  tear. 

THOMAS  BAILEY  ALDRICH. 


Kyoto  was  abloom.  Festooned  with  multicoloured 
lanterns  it  resembled  a  sunny  garden,  quivering  with  a 
swarm  of  brilliant  butterflies. 

From  all  the  countryside  madcap  throngs  flocked 
into  the  teeming  city,  mingling  song  and  laughter  with 
droning  of  drum  and  samisen,  the  treble  of  women  and 
children  with  the  bass  of  brawling  men.  Hawkers 
shouted  wares  of  every  description,  from  a  child's 
trumpery  toy  to  a  priceless  Muramasa  sword-blade. 
Goldsmiths  lured  the  ladies  with  jewelled  gewgaws  and 
carved  jade.  Humble  maidens  bartered  hard-earned 
sen  for  paper  fans  and  cotton  fabrics,  whose  painted 
patterns  vied  in  beauty  of  design  with  the  broideries  of 
proud  aristocrats. 

Booths  lined  the  streets,  with  tarnished  armour, 
images  and  kakemonos  pilfered  from  crumbling  castles 
and  forgotten  fanes.  Parasol  painters  splashed  flying 
storks  and  pine-boughs  upon  glowing  sunset  skies. 

Tea-houses  flung  wide  their  doors.  From  over- 
hanging balconies  smiling  geisha  showered  fragrant 
blossoms. 

Stalwart  bronze-skinned  coolies  bearing  the  gilded 
norimon  of  some  great  lady,  whose  slant  eyes  peered 


278  Old  Japan 

between  the  silken  curtains,  beat  with  fist  and  halberd 
a  pathway  through  the  crowd. 

Everywhere  was  joy  and  tumult.  In  the  square 
mountebanks  performed  merry  antics.  Strong  men 
wrestled  and  tumbled,  pole-vaulters  climbed,  balanced, 
and  capered.  The  bullock  of  Jingoro  attracted  scant 
notice,  for  here  were  stranger  beasts ;  bears,  snakes,  and 
monkeys  danced,  writhed,  and  mimicked  the  carnival  of 
humanity. 

The  travellers  paused  before  a  troupe  of  acrobats 
who,  guised  in  feathered  garments  as  Tengu,  with  long 
prehensile  noses,  juggled  balls  and  coins  while  a  feminine 
member  of  their  company  wrote  fortunes  upon  a  screen. 

Recognizing  White  Peony  the  girl  traced  the  word, 
"Beware,"  then  drew  a  picture  of  a  pack  of  hounds 
pursuing  a  frightened  fox. 

At  that  instant  like  a  sudden  avalanche  a  troop  of 
Hatamotos  galloped  furiously  down  the  street.  Shriek- 
ing women  and  children  flattened  themselves  against 
the  walls  and  fled  helter-skelter  in  frantic  fright  from 
beneath  the  chargers'  hoofs. 

White  Peony  was  thrown  violently  to  the  ground, 
but  lemitsu  snatched  her  swiftly  aside. 

"What  dog  dares  thus  imperil  the  lives  of  our  people  ? " 
he  cried  indignantly,  when  to  his  astonishment  he 
descried  his  own  crest,  the  Tokugawa  trefoil. 

"It  is  the  garrison  of  the  citadel,"  rejoined  a  by- 
stander, "ordered  forth  to  crush  the  uprising  in  Arima." 


The  Quest  of  Life  279 

Peony  caught  his  arm.  "Arima!"  she  echoed  anx- 
iously. "That  is  the  daimiate  of  Matsakura,  my  child- 
hood home,  whose  folk  are  meek  and  peaceful  Christians. 
Intercede  with  the  Mikado,  I  pray  thee,  to  stay  this 
bloodshed." 

The  Shogun  flushed  with  wrath,  but  swiftly  mastering 
himself  he  reassured  her:  "I  will  seek  the  Emperor 
and  plead  for  thy  friends.  Meanwhile  wait  my  return 
here  in  the  temple  of  Inari.  Thou  wilt  be  safe  with  the 
gentle  priestesses." 

Her  heart  freighted  with  vague  foreboding  White 
Peony  entered  the  temple  torii. 

The  priestesses  were  busily  arranging  their  famous 
festival-float,  on  which  was  to  be  presented  a  scene 
from  an  ancient  drama. 

Delightedly  they  added  White  Peony  to  their  cast, 
while  Jingoro  aided  them  in  the  decoration  of  their 
sumptuous  car.  Stretched  across  the  front  of  the  lofty 
float  was  a  magnificent  tapestry,  a  gift  from  the  mer- 
chants of  Deshima.  Above,  on  a  canopied  stage,  were 
posed  the  actors  and  actresses  garbed  in  wondrous  robes 
of  blood-red  satin  spangled  with  silver  suns.  On  a  dais 
stood  White  Peony  representing  the  Fox  Goddess  Inari, 
her  white  fur  robe  bedight  with  gleaming  jewels. 

Musicians  clashed  cymbals  and  beat  upon  gongs  as 
the  sacred  car  lumbered  by,  its  lofty  pagoda  over- 
topping the  roofs. 


280  Old  Japan 

The  tumult  of  the  forenoon  had  increased  tenfold. 
Doves  from  the  temple  hovered  bewildered  over  the 
crowd,  unable  to  alight  upon  the  pavement. 

Into  a  surging  sea  the  car  wedged  itself  and  halted. 

Suddenly  the  mob  shrieked : 

1 '  The  samurai !    The  samurai ! ' ' 

A  troop  of  soldiery  rode  down  the  helpless  bystand- 
ers. Throwing  back  his  helmet  the  leader  stared 
wonder-stricken  at  White  Peony. 

The  colour  fled  from  her  cheeks  as  she  met  the  gaze 
of  Matsakura. 

With  a  sudden  wrench  he  tore  her  from  the  car  and 
muffling  her  in  his  cloak,  rode  from  the  city  gate. 

VII 

SHOGUN  VERSUS  MIKADO 

Meanwhile  lemitsu  hastened  to  his  ancestral  castle 
of  Nio  and  robed  himself  in  sumptuous  court  regalia. 

Despatching  a  herald  to  announce  his  coming  he 
mounted  a  great  black  stallion  and  accompanied  by 
a  suite  of  mailed  Hatamotos  rode  into  the  palace 
court.  Here  he  dismounted  and  followed  only  by 
a  page  bearing  his  sword  entered  the  palace.  Tra- 
versing a  series  of  antechambers  he  was  ceremo- 
niously conducted  to  the  "Mysterious  Purple  Hall." 
The  great  golden  doors  flew  open  as  by  magic  at  the 
whisper  of  his  name.  The  Shogun  entered.  The 


The  Quest  of  Life  281 

daimios  of  an  hundred  provinces  were  convened  in  a 
grand  council  of  war.  Ranged  on  successive  terraces 
according  to  rank,  they  waited  in  hushed  expectancy. 

Suddenly  the  chrysanthemum-broidered  draperies 
were  drawn  aside  and  revealed  a  timid,  slender  youth. 
With  one  accord  the  throng  prostrated  themselves  and 
chanted  reverently1: 

In  the  vale  of  Kashiwara    dwells    the    monarch    of     the 

mountains, 

In  Yamato,  land  of  mountains,  isle  of  ever-blooming  trees, 
Sweet  and  gentle  is  the  murmur  of  its  ever-plashing 

fountains 
And  its  ever-rushing  rivers,  seeking  ceaselessly  the  seas. 

Here,  of  yore,  Amaterasu,  she  the  goddess  of  the  heaven, 
Throned  her  offspring  in  Yamato  o'er  the  flowery  isle  to 

reign, 
Here  through  endless  generations  till  the  earth  to  dust  be 

riven, 
And  the  firmament  eternal  fade  to  ceaseless  gloom  again. 

Then  as  long  as  on  the  mountains  blooms  the  plum  with 

blossoms  bending, 

And  as  long  as  in  the  valleys  sings  the  nightingale  of  love, 
And  as  long  as  in  the  forests  'neath  the  showers  of  heaven 

descending 
Fall  the  blood-red  leaves  of  Autumn  from  the  maple 

boughs  above, 

Shall  our  god-descended  monarch  ever  reign  in  joy  unending 
O'er  Yamato,  land  of  mountains,  isle  of  plenty,  peace,  and 
love! 

1  Hymn  to  the  Mikado. 


282  Old  Japan 

On  bended  knees  lemitsu  approached  the  throne. 

"Thou  art  too  late,  trusted  Shogun, "  smiled  the 
monarch;  "the  die  is  cast,  the  deliberations  of  our  inner 
council  are  ended." 

"Ended,  and  without  us!"  lemitsu  ironically 
repeated.  "I  could  scarce  believe  my  ears  were  it  not 
that  my  troops  have  been  ordered  forth  without  my 
authority.  Who  hath  put  this  affront  upon  me?" 

The  Mikado  winced,  but  gave  no  answer. 

Scanning  the  Shogun  with  narrowed  lids,  Owari 
interposed  adroitly: 

"Mine  honoured  kinsman,  thou  didst  confer  upon 
me  power  to  act  in  thy  behalf,  and  the  need  was 
urgent." 

"What  momentous  matter  could  not  await  my  con- 
sideration?" questioned  lemitsu  contemptuously. 

The  Mikado  clicked  his  fan.  Thereupon  the  Chan- 
cellor droned : 

"Whereas  a  violent  and  sudden  uprising  hath  broken 
out  in  the  province  of  Arima,  his  Heaven-Descended 
Majesty  the  Emperor  Go  Komatsu,  having  duly 
hearkened  to  the  counsel  of  his  advisers,  hath  despatched 
an  army  of  one  hundred  thousand  warriors,  under  the 
command  of  Matsakura  Shigasaira,  to  take  whatsoever 
measures  he  deemeth  fitting  for  the  quelling  of  said 
revolt  and  the  restoration  of  peace." 

"Hath  just  inquisition  been  made  concerning  the 
cruelties  that  caused  this  peace-loving  folk  to  rise 


The  Quest  of  Life  283 

against  their  tyrant?"  demanded  the  Shogun  sternly. 

"A  petition  hath  indeed  been  submitted  which  doth 
not  meet  my  imperial  pleasure,"  retorted  the  Mikado. 

"Shall  thy  subjects,  Sire,  be  condemned  without 
a  hearing?"  demanded  lemitsu  indignantly.  "Let  the 
petition  be  read!" 

Casting  a  furtive  glance  at  the  Mikado,  who  bowed 
assent,  the  Chancellor  read: 

"For  the  sake  of  our  wives  and  children  we  have  taken 
refuge  in  this  castle. 

"  It  must  not  be  thought  that  our  act  is  one  of  rebellion 
against  the  august  Mikado.  It  is  simply  because  we 
consider  our  faith  in  Christ  the  one  matter  of  supreme 
moment.  .  .  .  For  this  we  have  suffered  shame,  torture, 
and  death ! 

"It  is  not  a  malicious  insurrection  against  our  humane 
government,  but  the  appeal  of  a  loyal  people  to  the  protec- 
tion of  their  loved  sovereign." 

"August  Tenshu  and  most  wise  Councillors," 
pleaded  lemitsu,  "doth  not  our  ancient  faith  teach 
compassion  to  our  enemies?  How  much  more,  then, 
should  we  display  to  our  friends 

The  Spirit  of  Bushido" 
(Chivalry) 

From  dim,  departed  days  the  Sunrise  Isle 
Hath  shrined  an  heaven-descended  Trinity, 

Three  sister-goddesses  celestial  smile, 
Wisdom  and  Valour,  and  Humanity, 

To  hearten  man  to  deeds  of  chivalry. 


284  Old  Japan 

Three  heaven-sent  treasures  have  the  gods  assigned, 
The  threefold  emblems  of  "The  Knightly  Way": 

The  shining  Mirror,  symbol  of  the  Mind, 
The  sacred  Sword,  sceptre  of  Valour's  sway, 

And  flawless  Jewel,  sign  of  Mercy  kind. 

Wisdom  the  warrior's  helm  is,  we  are  taught, 
And  Valour  is  his  shield  amid  the  press. 

Yet,  an  he  hath  not  Mercy,  hath  he  naught; 
For  vain  is  Wit  and  idle,  Dauntlessness 

Companioned  not  with  Pity  'gainst  distress. 

For  e'en  the  knights  most  valiant  and  most  great, 
The  most  endeared  in  memory  reverent, 

Were  yet  withal  the  most  compassionate. 
Like  Kusunoki,  who,  with  pity  rent, 

Wept  for  his  vanquished  foes'  untimely  fate. 

Like  to  that  hero,  who,  one  wintry  day, 
Beneath  the  frosty  moon,  undaunted,  led 

His  little  band  of  warriors  to  the  fray, 

'Gainst  whelming  odds,  into  the  conflict  red. 

With  one  great  shout,  clashes  the  surging  throng. 

Fast  flows  the  tide  of  battle  to  and  fro. 
Now  falls  a  youth,  upon  his  lips  a  song; 

Anon,  a  burly  bonze  rides  high  and  low 
With  lance  in  rest  and  brave  uplifted  shield,  . 

Like  an  avenging  god  against  the  foe, 
Charging  on  stallion  fleet  across  the  field, 

Sends  two  score  warriors  down  to  endless  woe. 

Bleeding  with  grievous  wounds  from  sword  and  spear 
The  leader  turns  his  flagging  troops  to  flight, 

And  spurs  his  sore-spent  steed,  in  mortal  fear, 
Into  the  icy  waters  of  the  night. 


The  Quest  of  Life  285 

Then  the  brave  victor,  satiate  of  gore, 

Sped  to  the  succour  of  his  drowning  foes, 
And  haled  them  safe  to  land  and  dressed  each  sore, 

Gave  them  to  eat  and  solaced  all  their  woes, 
And  set  them  free — his  friends  for  evermore! 

That  perfect  knight,  fearless  and  free  from  blame, 
Prince  Satsuma,  of  brave,  benignant  reign, 

Who  home  in  triumph  from  Korea  came, 

Raised  a  great  tomb  to  all  the  unknown  slain, 

Foeman  or  friend,  in  Pity's  sacred  name, 

That  their  shrived  souls  might  mount  to  Heaven's  High 
Plain! 

Such  are  the  men  we  needs  must  emulate 

To  gain  the  crown  of  kingly  chivalry, 
The  holy  lives  of  knights  compassionate 

Who  hold  within  their  hearts  the  virtues  three, 
Greatest  of  which  is  sweet  Humanity. 

Then  grant  us  zeal  to  tread  "The  Knightly  Way," 

And  hearten  us  to  deeds  of  Chivalry, 
That  Mirror,  Sword,  and  Gem  of  Shining  Day, 

Wisdom,  and  Valour  and  Humanity, 
These  glorious  heaven-sent  gifts  of  purest  gold, 
We  keep  unsullied  as  in  days  of  old! 

TENSHU  NISHIMURA. 


"Surely,"  declared  lemitsu,  "our  course  is  plain. 
The  code  of  leyasu  commands:  'Should  a  daimio,  by 
unwarrantable  cruelties,  provoke  his  vassals  to  just 
revolt  .  .  the  castles  and  estates  of  said  daimio  shall 


286  Old  Japan 

be  forever  confiscated.'  Wherefore  let  a  courier  be 
dispatched  instantly  to  Matsakura  summoning  him 
hither  to  answer  to  this  indictment." 

"Nay,  the  code  of leyasu  doth  not  concern  this  case," 
retorted  the  Emperor.  ' '  These  members  of  the  accursed 
sect  are  beyond  the  pale  and  should  suffer  banishment 
or  death." 

"Know,  most  august  Tenshu, "  replied  the  unruffled 
Shogun,  "that  thou  hast  been  maliciously  deceived, 
leyasu  banished  the  Jesuits,  not  on  account  of  their 
faith,  but  because  they  were  secret  spies  of  Philip,  King 
of  Spain.  These  Krishitans  are  thine  own  kindred,  than 
whom  no  more  loyal  subjects  of  thy  rule  exist. 

"Unknown  to  all  I  have  witnessed  their  sacred  rites 
and  marvelled  at  the  wondrous  spirit  wherewith  in 
long-suffering  silence  they  have  borne  the  causeless 
oppressions  of  their  brutal  daimio. 

' '  They  have  suffered  the  torments  of  hell.  They  have 
been  burned,  torn  asunder,  crucified,  and  boiled  alive; 
they  have  wandered  naked  and  shelterless,  destitute  and 
despised  of  men. 

"Wherefore,  most  august  Master,  thou  hast  erred 
in  despatching  Matsakura,  for  a  keener  blade  than  his 
should  cut  this  knot!" 

Seizing  the  edict  lemitsu  with  a  single  brush-stroke 
blotted  out  the  name  of  Matsakura,  then  calmly 
inscribed  his  own. 

"If  I  may  not   even  be  permitted  to  name  my 


"  May  it  not  be  that  there  behind  the  sky 
Snow-blossoms  falling,  falling  from  on  high," 


"  The  spring,  the  long-longed  spring  hath  come  at  last  ?  " 

(Hiroshigi) 


"  A  light  flared  fitfully  upon  the  malignant  face  of  Matsakura" 

(Colour-print,  Kunisada) 


The  Quest  of  Life  287 

servitors,"  stormed  the  incontinent  Mikado,  "I 
will  not  remain  a  helpless  puppet;  but  do  hereby 
abdicate!" 

"Thy  wise  and  august  determination  is  most  obed- 
iently accepted.  Faithfully  shall  I  guard  the  reins  of 
power  for  thine  infant  son,"  smiled  lemitsu  blandly, 
while,  white  with  fury,  the  dethroned  monarch  stag- 
gered from  the  hall. 

Seating  himself  upon  the  throne  the  Shogun  ad- 
dressed his  subjects : 

"My  friends,  it  is  now  my  prerogative  to  command, 
yours  to  render  me  implicit  obedience.  If  any  one 
here  resents  this  claim,  I  will  end  the  argument  with 
my  sword!" 

Enthusiastic  acclamations  greeted  this  announce- 
ment, and  lemitsu  commanded: 

"The  Council  shall  conduct  affairs  of  state  in  my 
absence,  for  upon  the  instant  shall  I  set  forth  to  deal 
punishment  upon  Matsakura. " 

VIII 

THE   ASSAULT 

Krishitan  Jashu-mon 
(Battle  Hymn  of  the  Arima  Christians.) 

Let  us  march,  tramp !  tramp ! 

Against  the  Powers  of  Gloom, 
The  sons  of  Faith,  in  Christ  his  name, 

Defying  Death's  dark  tomb, 


288  Old  Japan 

With  dauntless  will  unbeaten  still, 
The  legion  of  the  Lord, 

A  smile  of  Peace  upon  our  lips 
But  in  our  hands  a  sword ! 


While  shot  and  powder  still  remain 

Our  thund'rous  guns  shall  flame 
And  blast  Sin's  teeming  ramparts  till 

The  craven  foe  in  shame, 
Like  sand  before  the  whirlwind  swept, 

Shall  falter,  fall,  and  flee. 
By  grace  of  God  and  our  great  guns 

We'll  gain  the  victory! 

Chorus: 

With  dauntless  will,  etc. 

At  the  head  of  an  hundred  thousand  warriors  rode 
Matsakura,  proud,  triumphant,  and  exultant. 

It  seemed  to  him  that  Fortune  had  granted  all  his 
desires.  The  confiscation  of  the  Christians'  estates 
would  mean  for  him  untold  wealth.  The  quelling  of 
the  rebellion  would  elevate  him  to  the  rank  of  Com- 
mander-in-Chief,  why  not  to  the  very  Shogunate? 
Nay,  softly,  ambition  was  bearing  him  too  far.  lemitsu 
must  be  reckoned  with. 

But  where  was  the  wary  fox? 

"What  matters?"  he  shrugged.  "Suffice  it  for  the 
nonce  to  annihilate  the  Evil  Sect !  A  mere  handful  of 
peasants  and  ronins, "  he  smiled,  "pitted  against  my 
army!" 


The  Quest  of  Life  289 

"However  there  is  no  time  to  lose,"  he  reflected. 
"Each  day  the  rebels  gather  strength.  They  burn  and 
plunder  castles  and  cities.  Each  hour  counts!" 

Hara  Castle  jutted  from  a  crag  girt  on  three  sides 
by  the  sea.  On  the  fourth  it  was  fortified  by  a  wide 
moat.  Within  its  massy  walls  were  gathered  twenty 
thousand  Christian  warriors  with  their  wives  and 
children,  waiting  vainly  their  appeal  to  the  Mikado. 

Matsakura  rushed  to  the  assault,  but  the  valiant 
garrison   repulsed  his  army  with  bloody  loss.     His 
culverins  could  scarcely  scratch  the  massive  walls. 
't  But  a  deadlier  foe  confronted  the  Christians — Famine. 

One  moonless  night  a  thousand  warriors  filed  from  a 
sally-port  in  a  desperate  sortie. 

Skirting  the  cliff  in  single  file  they  clambered  down 
to  a  fishing  hamlet.  Here  the  friendly  peasants  gave 
them  food,  and  they  set  forth  for  the  castle. 

Scarcely  had  they  reached  the  cliff  when  the  rising 
sun  disclosed  them  to  their  foes.  With  sword  and 
lance  the  samurai  of  Matsakura  fell  upon  them  and 
massacred  them  to  a  man. 

Still  undismayed  the  starving  Christians  held  out, 
but  their  hearts  turned  to  stone  as  they  beheld  a  vessel 
flying  the  Dutch  flag  enter  the  roadstead.  From  its 
deck  the  Hollanders  lowered  a  score  of  monstrous  guns. 
These  the  troops  of  Matsakura  mounted  in  position  and 
trained  upon  the  fortress. 


290  Old  Japan 

They  battered  the  beleaguered  castle,  shattered 
battlements  and  towers,  breached  the  walls,  but  the 
white-cross  banner  floated  still. 

In  the  face  of  death  the  unconquerable  Christians 
chanted  their  battle-hymn : 

"With  dauntless  will  unbeaten  still, 

The  legion  of  the  Lord, 
A  smile  of  Peace  upon  our  lips 
But  in  our  hands  a  sword!" 

Attaching  thereto  a  missive,  Matsakura  shot  an 
arrow  into  the  castle,  promising  pardon  in  the  name 
of  the  Shogun  if  the  defenders  would  lay  down  their 
arms. 

The  trustful  garrison  complied,  hoisted  a  white  flag, 
threw  their  arms  from  the  battlements,  and  opened 
their  gates. 

The  treacherous  host  poured  in,  putting  the  weapon- 
less Christians  to  fire  and  sword. 

Wresting  stones  from  the  battlements,  the  defenders 
hurled  them  upon  the  assailants.  Tooth  and  nail  they 
fought,  clutching  their  foes  in  a  desperate  struggle 
with  death. 

So  swift  was  the  onslaught  that  the  invaders  slew 
each  other  in  blind  confusion.  Wounded  and  dying 
they  trampled  underfoot.  Men,  women,  and  children 
they  ruthlessly  slaughtered.  Babes  from  their  mothers' 
bosoms  they  flung  into  the  sea. 


The  Quest  of  Life  291 

Suddenly  there  rose  a  shout:  "The  Shogun!  The 
Shogun!"  as  lemitsu  and  his  brave  hatamotos  surged 
into  the  shambles. 

He  wore  an  expression  of  implacable  wrath. 

"How  he  hateth  us!"  murmured  the  Christians. 

Hate  indeed  possessed  his  soul,  the  holy  wrath  of  an 
avenging  god,  cold,  silent,  and  inexorable.  But  that 
hate  was  not  for  the  Christians. 

"Succour  the  wounded,"  he  commanded;  "dispose 
the  dead  for  burial !  Proclaim  pardon  to  all  who  have 
survived  this  ruthless  massacre!  Matsakura  hath 
signed  his  death-warrant!" 

He  stayed  not  for  further  parley  but  rushed  into  the 
castle.  From  crypt  to  parapet  he  searched,  questing 
vainly  his  beloved. 

At  last,  when  hope  had  died  within  his  heart,  he 
spied  upon  the  battlements  a  frail  pagoda.  From  its 
topmost  story  fluttered — a  white  peony ! 

Threading  a  labyrinth  of  fallen  timbers,  he  gained  a 
shattered  gate.  The  great  bronze  doors  stood  ajar. 
Crossing  the  courtyard  he  passed  a  guardhouse  whence 
issued  voices;  but  none  perceived  him  as  he  stole 
silently  to  the  stairway. 

Of  a  sudden  a  plank  creaked  under  his  tread!  A 
guard  came  forth  and  peered  stealthily  around. 

"Only  the  mad  maid,  screaming  in  vain  for  aid," 
he  shrugged,  slinking  back  to  the  guardhouse. 


292  Old  Japan 

lemitsu  smiled.  She  was  there.  He  had  come  in 
•time. 

A  light  gleamed  from  an  upper  landing. 

He  climbed  the  stairway  and  tapped  softly  upon  the 
shoji. 

"Peony,"  he  whispered. 

A  footstep  rustled  the  matting,  then  all  was  still. 

Again  he  tapped  and  called. 

A  soft  voice  questioned  timidly:  "Who  art  thou? " 

"It  is  I,  lemitsu,"  he  murmured. 

A  quick  cry  of  delight  greeted  his  ears. 

Bracing  himself  against  the  wall  he  thrust  with  all  his 
strength.  The  shoji  failed  to  budge.  Drawing  his 
sword  he  splintered  the  screen  with  a  sharp  crash. 

Alarmed  by  the  uproar  the  guards  ran  out  in  angry 
altercation. 

lemitsu  waited,  scarce  drawing  breath. 

Of  a  sudden  he  caught  the  glint  of  a  pair  of  eyes 
peering  at  him  through  the  shadows. 

He  lunged  at  them  with  his  sword.  With  a  fright- 
ened gasp  the  samurai  scurried  down  the  stairs. 

A  roar  of  curses  and  clatter  of  armour  rose  as  a 
group  of  guardsmen  rushed  in. 

The  Shogun  unsheathed  his  sword  and  sprang  to 
meet  them,  his  blade  brandished  prepared  to  strike. 

From  the  shattered  shoji  a  light  flared  fitfully  upon 
the  malignant  face  of  Matsakura. 

lemitsu  smiled,  waiting  in  scornful  silence. 


The  Quest  of  Life  293 

The  leader  paused  midway  up  the  flight,  not  daring  to 
engage  at  such  disadvantage. 

"So  my  fox,"  he  gibed,  "thou  didst  plot  to  rob  my 
hen-roost!" 

lemitsu  stood  calm  and  motionless,  disdaining  to  reply. 

Matsakura  burst  into  a  volley  of  oaths : 

"Vile  accomplice  of  Krishitans,  come  down,  and  I 
will  carve  the  cross  upon  thy  heart!" 

Still  the  Shogun  was  silent,  biding  his  time. 

Finding  threats  futile  Matsakura  shifted  from  bluster 
to  flattery. 

"Most  honoured  friend,"  he  fawned,  "do  not  force 
me  to  slay  thee.  Yield  me  but  the  maid  and  I  will  set 
theefree!" 

A  smothered  cry  came  from  behind  the  shoji. 

With  a  sudden  sweep  lemitsu  crashed  his  blade  upon 
the  helm  of  Matsakura,  who  staggered  back  upon  the 
landing. 

Two  samurai  sprang  instantly  into  his  place.  The 
first  attacked  furiously;  the  second  edged  around  the 
Shogun,  striving  to  stab  him  from  behind. 

With  a  twist  of  the  wrist  lemitsu  sent  the  sword  of 
the  first  flying,  then,  wheeling  abruptly,  he  thrust  the 
other  through  the  throat. 

Groaning  horribly  he  fell  lifeless  to  the  floor,  while 
his  companion  fled  terror-stricken  down  the  stairs. 

lemitsu  looked  sternly  down.  "Come  dog,"  he 
muttered,  "'tis  thy  turn!" 


294  Old  Japan 

Matsakura  cowered,  cursing  between  his  teeth. 

"Poltroon,"  scoffed  the  Shogun,  "if  thou  wilt  not 
fight  slay  thyself!" 

Stung  by  the  taunt  Matsakura  bounded  up  the  stairs. 
The  tower  rang  like  a  smithy.  Steel  clanged  upon  steel, 
in  lightning  thrust  and  parry.  Inch  by  inch  Matsakura 
lost  ground,  beset  more  and  more  relentlessly  by  his 
exultant  adversary. 

Step  by  step  he  retreated,  till,  suddenly,  lemitsu 
with  a  swift  stroke  sent  him  reeling  against  the  rail, 
which  crashed  beneath  his  weight  bearing  him  lifeless 
to  the  pavement. 

lemitsu  ran  to  the  chamber  and  threw  open  the  shoji. 

With  a  joyous  cry  White  Peony  sprang  into  his  arms. 

"A  little  more  beloved,  and  thou  wouldst  have  been 
too  late, "  she  smiled. 

"Wouldst  thou  have  slain  thyself?"  he  demanded 
anxiously. 

"Nay,"  she  laughed.  "I  would  have  fled  with 
another." 

Lifting  the  hibachi  she  disclosed  a  hidden  ladder, 
from  whose  lower  rungs  emerged — Jingoro. 

"Brindle  waiteth  at  the  postern  gate,  good  Master," 
he  whispered;  "thou  knowest  he  can  carry  double." 

"Nay,"  cried  lemitsu,  "thou  shalt  bestride  thy 
trusty  bullock  and  ride  at  my  right  hand,  as  becomes 
the  sire  of  the  Shogun's  bride." 


The  Quest  of  Life  295 

Jingoro  threw  himself  on  his  knees. 

"Daughter  of  mine  is  she  not,"  he  confessed,  "but 
child  of  the  murdered  daimio  of  Arima,  whom  I  saved 
from  this  very  castle,  and  reared  as  mine  own  daughter." 

"Wherefore  twice  hast  thou  rescued  her,"  smiled 
lemitsu.  "Still  shall  I  call  thee  Father.  Thou  shalt 
make  resplendent  with  thy  carving  my  ancestral  temples 
of  Nikko.  What  shall  he  carve  for  thee,  my  Love?" 

"A  portrait  of  Amber  in  a  bower  of  peonies,"  she 
pleaded  winsomely. 

"Thy  cat!"  he  smiled. 

Peony  clapped  her  hands. 

"Thou  art  the  lad,"  she  laughed,  "who  played  with 
me  in  the  long  ago!" 

"I  am  indeed  that  unlovely  youth,"  he  confessed, 
clasping  her  to  his  heart. 

Felicity 

White  shine  the  buds  a-dream  against  the  sky, 
In  verdant  glades  small,  feathered  fowl  give  voice, 
All  joyance  is!    The  very  gods  rejoice, 

Gladsome  to  greet  Earth's  merry  minstrelsy. 

KOYOSHIU. 


CHAPTER  X 

THE  SCARLET  THREAD 

I 
THE   SOUL  OF  THE   SAMURAI 

The  girded  sword  is  the  living  soul  of  the  Samurai. 

IEYASU. 

The  Sword's  the  Soul  of  thy  vast  seigniory, 

Forged  in  the  white  hot  flame,  from  flawless  steel, 

With  mighty  hammer-stroke  and  slow  anneal, 

Upon  the  anvil  of  eternity. 

Their  hearts  aglow  with  pride  and  loyalty 

For  Sire  and  Land,  thy  sons  with  dauntless  zeal 

Press  forward  to  the  fray,  through  woe  or  weal, 

Seeking  delight  in  life's  extremity ! 

Land  of  the  Gods!    Thy  sword-smiths  as  of  yore 

Still  forge  the  perfect  glaives  of  purest  ore. 

Still  live  the  Samurai,  who  honour  breathe, 

And,  rather  than  to  shame  their  ancestry, 

To  live  dishonoured  and  dishonour  thee, 

In  their  own  hearts  their  swords  would  sooner  sheathe. 

TAKESADA. 
296 


The  Scarlet  Thread  297 

HTEN  score  years  syne,  in  the  fruitful  province  of 
•*•  Harima,  there  dwelt  a  mighty  daimio,  Asano  no 
Kami,  overlord  of  the  puissant  castle  of  Ako,  who  was 
beloved  by  all  for  manifold  deeds  of  kindness  through- 
out his  seigniory. 

Now  it  fortuned  that  after  long  years  of  laborious 
upbuilding  of  his  province,  Lord  Asano  was  one  day 
summoned  by  royal  decree  to  appear  at  Yedo  in  com- 
pany with  another  nobleman,  Lord  Kamei,  to  receive 
and  feast  the  Envoy  of  the  Mikado. 

Accordingly,  the  Master  of  Ceremonies,  Kira,  an 
overbearing,  boorish  knave,  was  appointed  to  teach 
them  the  ritual.  Overwhelming  his  pupils  with  un- 
ceasing insult  and  irony,  he  jeered  at  their  provincial 
manners,  seeking  to  make  laughing-stocks  of  them  in 
the  eyes  of  the  Envoy. 

Upon  Asano  most  especially  he  vented  a  resentment 
born  of  greed  and  envy.  Long  had  he  coveted  the 
grand  domain  of  Ako,  and  under  pretext  that  all  mines 
were  imperial  fiefs,  had  seized  its  mountain  fastnesses. 
But  the  ancestral  castle  still  remained  in  possession 
of  Asano,  wherefore  Kira  plotted  to  provoke  its  lord 
to  some  violent  act,  which  would  compass  his  disgrace 
and  the  confiscation  of  his  seigniory. 

Kira  commanded  each  daimio  to  bring  a  councillor 
or  second.  The  Lord  of  Ako  had  bidden  his  friend 
Kurano  attend  him;  but  this  nobleman  had  been  un- 
willingly detained  and  Asano  came  alone. 


298  Old  Japan 

Kira  would  hear  neither  explanation  nor  apology, 
insisting  that  Asano  had  shown  wilful  negligence  and 
contempt  of  ceremony. 

"Unmannerly  boor,"  he  blustered,  "Atone  for 
thine  insolence.  Kneel  and  tie  the  ribbon  of  my 
sandal." 

Asano  rose  to  his  full  height. 

"If  my  loyalty  to  the  Mikado  requires  such  menial 
service,"  he  smiled,  "I  will  perform  it  for  the  Imperial 
Envoy,  but  I  decline  to  act  as  the  foot-servant  of  Lord 
Kira." 

Foiled  in  his  attempt  to  provoke  Asano,  Kira  sneered : 

"Perchance  thou  deemest  thyself  sufficiently  versed 
in  etiquette  to  dispense  with  my  instruction!  So  be 
it  then.  The  lessons  are  ended." 

Whereupon  Honzo,  councillor  of  Lord  Kamei,  deem- 
ing that  the  ill-will  of  Kira  might  be  propitiated  by  a 
bribe,  prostrated  himself  at  the  foot  of  the  dais. 

"A  thousand  pardons,  sweet  and  gentle  lord,"  he 
fawned,  "I  have  failed  to  fulfil  a  command  most  ur- 
gently enjoined  upon  me  by  my  master." 

"We  have  no  further  concern  with  thy  master," 
retorted  Kira  arrogantly. 

"Nay,  most  august  Seignior,"  protested  Honzo, 
"my  Lord,  realizing  thy  condescension  in  squandering 
so  much  precious  time,  bade  me  present  thee  this 
trifling  token  of  his  gratitude,  the  largest  and  most 
perfect  pearl  of  his  fisheries." 


The  Scarlet  Thread  299 

Kira  eyed  the  jewel  greedily. 

"This  is  a  wondrous  gem,"  he  gloated,  "perfect  of 
form,  of  size  unexampled,  and  lustre  exquisite.  Its 
worth  must  be  beyond  all  price." 

"But  not  so  priceless  as  the  value  my  master  places 
upon  thine  honourable  instructions." 

"Fool,"  thundered  Kira,  "why  didst  thou  not  give 
this  to  me  before?" 

"My  master  enjoined  me  to  wait  until  the  lesson 
was  terminated,  'Else,'  said  he,  'Lord  Kira  may  think 
it  a  bribe,  whereas  'tis  merely  a  token  of  gratitude. ' ' 

"Lord  Kamei  has  displayed  both  tact  and  munifi- 
cence. Summon  thy  master  that  I  may  complete 
his  instruction." 

II 

HYMN  TO  THE  ENVOY 

"May  our  heaven-gendered  lord  with  joys  o'erflow, 
Live  for  a  thousand  ages!"     Thus  we  pray, 
"Until  the  tiny  pebbles  slowly  grow 
To  giant  boulders  clad  with  lichens  grey!" 

Twin-peaked  Tsukuba  hath  a  shadow  vast 
On  this  side  and  on  that  alike  down-cast, 
But  thy  great  shadow  stretcheth  on  and  on, 
Its  length  exceeding  and  excelled  by  none ! 

TSURAYUKI. 

Thus  chanted  courtiers  and  singing-maidens,  scatter- 
ing chrysanthemum  petals  before  his  triumphal  path, 


300  Old  Japan 

the  whiles  with  fanfare  of  trumpets  and  droning  of 
drums  the  Imperial  Envoy  and  his  majestic  suite  filed 
solemnly  into  the  hall. 

An  hundred  daimios  fluttered  their  broidered  robes 
of  rainbow-painted  silks.  Golden  lacquered  pillars 
gleamed  against  a  background  of  multicoloured  carv- 
ing. Azure  wreaths  of  incense  curled  upward  from 
bronze  censers  to  the  coffered  ceiling,  and  the  air  was 
laden  with  scent  of  many  flowers. 

When  the  procession  had  wound  its  lengthy  train 
through  the  pillared  galleries  amid  gasping  genu- 
flexions of  the  multitude,  Prince  Taiko  mounted  the 
dais  and  thus  addressed  the  assemblage: 

"Loyal  subjects  of  my  heaven-descended  brother, 
we  thank  you  for  this  fitting  welcome  so  graciously 
vouchsafed  us.  May  ye  ever  dwell  in  ceaseless  love 
and  righteousness  in  this  fair-flowered  land  of  our 
fathers. 

"If  ye  have  petitions  I  will  hear  them.  If  injustice 
hath  been  done,  it  shall  be  requited.  All  wrongs  shall 
be  redressed." 

"August  honourable  Prince,"  fawned  Kamei,  "the 
spirit  of  our  heaven-descended  sovereign  is  as  the  rising 
sun  upon  the  cherry-blossom.  Under  his  beneficent 
rule  sorrow  is  illusory  and  evil  unknown." 

The  eyes  of  all  turned  to  Asano  in  tense  expectancy. 

White  with  wrath  the  haughty  daimio  loosed  the  pent- 
up  passion  of  his  soul. 


The  Scarlet  Thread  301 

"Enough  of  flattery,"  he  cried.  "Thou  hast  pro- 
mised, most  august  Prince,  to  requite  all  wrong.  I  there- 
fore "accuse  Lord  Kira  of  stealing  my  estates,  and 
condemning  to  servitude  my  free-born  peasants!" 

"Silence,"  thundered  the  Envoy.  "Retire  forth- 
with from  this  sacred  place  whose  spirit  thou  hast 
profaned!" 

Asano  was  about  to  go  when  a  sudden  blow  sent  him 
sprawling  on  the  mats.  Staggering  to  his  feet  he  rushed 
upon  his  adversary  with  bared  blade. 

"Seize  the  miscreant,"  cried  Kira,  "he  would  assas- 
sinate the  Prince!" 

Asano  slashed,  cutting  a  gash  in  Kira's  forehead. 

The  guards  sprang  upon  him.  He  lunged  blindly 
and  fell  beneath  their  crashing  halberds. 

That  night  Kurano  came  to  his  prison. 

"Ne'er  shall  I  forgive  myself,"  he  mourned,  "that 
I  deserted  thee  in  thine  hour  of  need!" 

"Friend,  do  not  reproach  thyself,"  protested  Asano, 
I  must  suffer  the  penalty  of  folly.  My  daughter  I 
commit  to  thy  care.  In  happier  days  I  hoped  that 
she  might  wed  thy  son.  But  alas!  Kira  will  despoil 
me  of  all  and  Camellia  will  be  dowerless." 

"Nathless,"  vowed  Kurano,  "I  swear  that,  betide 
what  may,  my  son  shall  wed  thy  daughter!" 

A  troop  of  white-robed  Hatamoto  tramped  solemn- 
ly in. 

"I  have  the  unwelcome  duty,  Lord  Asano,"  vouch- 


302  Old  Japan 

safed  the  leader,  "to  apprise  thee  of  the  imperial 
decree.  Thou  art  condemned  to  commit  seppuku!" 

Asano  bowed  in  calm  assent. 

"Tis  the  dearest  privilege  of  a  samurai,"  he  smiled 
dauntlessly. 

Ill 

BEFORE  THE   STORM 

Fair"goddess  of  the  sapphire  Nippon  sky, 
Upon  what  elfin  loom  with  fingers  light 
Weavest  thou  thus  for  our  supreme  delight 
Thy  wondrous  web  of  living  broidery, 
The  red  brocade  and  russet  tapestry 
Of  forest,  field  and  moor  aflame  and  bright, 
Glory  of  golden  grain  and  blossoms  white, 
All  merged  through  mellow  haze  in  harmony? 

Dreaming  awake,  the  mild-eyed  cattle  stand 
Knee-deep  within  the  lilies  of  the  rill. 
A  breathless  languor  broods  on  every  hand 
In  plenitude  of  peace,  unspoken,  still, 
Save  for  a  single,  bold,  upsoaring  butterfly, 
Winging  its  fragile  petals  to  the  sky. 

The  castle  of  Ako  gleamed  white  through  billow- 
ing oaks  and  maples,  its  massy  abutments  jutting  de- 
fiantly from  the  russet  hillside.  Behind  frowned  a  wall 
of  serrated  ranges;  while  before  it,  sloping  gently  to 
the  sea,  drowsed  a  grassy  moorland,  dotted  with  thatch- 
roofed  cottages  wherein  dwelt  the  joyous  peasants  of 
Asano. 


The  Scarlet  Thread  303 

Where  the  highway  rounded  an  escarpment  a  youth 
drew  rein,  and  gazed  wistfully  upon  the  scene.  He 
was  now  returning,  after  years  of  absence,  to  the  home 
of  his  childhood. 

Struck  by  the  grandeur  of  this  ancestral  domain, 
a  vague,  unwonted  sense  of  aloofness  oppressed  him. 
He  wondered  whether  Camellia  would  be  changed 
from  the  rompling  little  playfellow,  so  winsome  in 
all  her  moods,  to  whom  he  had  been  betrothed  in 
infancy. 

Of  a  sudden  a  short,  shrill  whistle  rent  the  air.  It 
was  their  signal  in  the  long  ago.  Upon  the  bough  of 
a  twisted  pine,  whither  she  had  so  often  clambered  in 
her  boyish  girlhood,  sat  Camellia,  her  little  feet  flitting 
in  and  out  of  covert,  like  timorous  birds.  A  flame 
leaped  and  died  on  her  dusky  cheeks.  A  smile  blos- 
somed a  moment,  then  faded  from  her  lips.  Her  jade- 
blue  eyes  sought  the  youth's  questioningly. 

"Camellia!"  he  cried,  joyously,  "I  am  come  to  claim 
thy  love!" 

"All  the  morning  Shikara,  have  I  been  watching  for 
thee,"  she  smiled  shyly.  "Why  didst  thou  ride  so 
slowly?" 

"Beloved,  I  came  as  swiftly  as  my  steed  could  gallop. 
Tell  me,"  he  pleaded.  "Hast  thou  longed  for  me  as  I 
for  thee?  Art  thou  content  that  I  have  come?" 

With  a  faint  cry  she  nestled  in  his  arms,  her  eyes 
brimming  with  joy: 


304  Old  Japan 

"Content  indeed,  for  I  love  thee  more  than  life." 

Shikara  felt  the  tumultuous  beating  of  her  heart. 
Her  sweet  breath  fanned  his  cheek.  The  assurance  of 
requited  love  swept  away  all  barriers  of  wealth  and 
caste  that  lay  between  them. 

"Longer  than  life,"  he  vowed,  "shall  my  love  for 
thee  endure." 

Onward  they  rode,  their  hearts  athrill  with  a  joy 
hitherto  undreamed,  all  unconscious  of  the  tragedy 
enacted  by  their  fathers. 

The  moorland  gleamed  silver  in  the  morning  sun- 
shine, the  hills  loomed  lazuli  beneath  lowering  clouds. 
A  hush  brooded  over  all  the  countryside,  broken  only 
by  the  cawing  of  rooks,  and  a  myriad  feathered  crea- 
tures flying  frantically  to  shelter. 

But  little  heed  paid  the  lovers  to  these  doomful  cries, 
nor  did  vain  foreboding  cloud  their  bliss.  They  babbled 
of  childish  trifles:  the  familiar  objects  they  passed,  the 
cave  where  they  played  at  pirates,  and  the  cliff  they 
had  often  scaled  in  search  of  cormorant  eggs. 

A  turn  of  the  road  brought  Ako  again  into  view. 

"Dost  thou  not  love  its  time-stained  walls?"  asked 
Camellia. 

A  moment  before  he  would  have  answered:  "I  hate 
it,  since  it  bars  me  from  thee." 

But  now  her  love  had  transfigured  the  grim  old 
castle.  Its  great  gate  opened  in  whole-souled'welcome ; 
its  massive  walls  spelled  protection  and  hospitality. 


The  Scarlet  Thread  305 

"I  love  it,"  Shikara  answered,  "since  it  bars  me  in 
with  thee." 

"But  why  are  the  villages  so  silent,  the  farms  de- 
serted?" he  asked;  "no  smoke  wreaths  rising  from  the 
cottages,  no  fishing  boats  upon  the  bay?" 

"Kira  hath  forced  the  peasants  to  leave  their  homes 
and  labour  in  the  mines,"  she  said  sadly. 

Suddenly  a  furious  gust  of  wind  smote  the  overhang- 
ing trees  till  they  writhed  like  accursed  spirits. 

"Shikara!  I  am  affrighted,"  she  shuddered.  "Some 
terrible  evil  bodeth." 

"Nay,"  he  laughed,  "what  evil  may  befall  while  I 
am  at  thy  side?" 

The  youth  spurred  his  steed  forward;  but  ere  they 
could  reach  the  castle-gate  a  horseman  overtook  them. 

"Art  thou  of  the  household,  little  rose-blossom?"  he 
demanded  leering  upon  Camellia  with  lustful  eyes. 

"Insolent  knave,  this  is  the  Lady  of  Ako!"  Shikara 
retorted,  hand  upon  hilt. 

"I  would  thy  words  were  sooth,"  laughed  Kira, 
"for  I  am  Lord  of  Ako!" 

"When  my  Lord  Asano  returneth  he  will  dispute 
that  claim,"  flared  the  youth  haughtily. 

"He  hath  disputed  his  last  claim,"  sneered  Kira. 
"The  castle  now  is  mine." 

Camellia  went  suddenly  white. 

' '  Nay,  do  not  take  it  so  hard,  my  pretty,  thou  hast  but 
to  accept  my  love  and  thou  shalt  remain  Lady  of  Ako." 


306  Old  Japan 

"Dastard!"  cried  the  youth,  dismounting  swiftly. 

Kira  drove  his  spurs  deep  into  the  flanks  of  his  steed. 

As  the  powerful  stallion  reared  above  him  with  dis- 
tended nostrils  and  threatening  hoofs,  Shikara  struck 
it  across  the  face  with  his  riding  whip.  The  charger 
swerved  suddenly  and  flung  his  rider  violently  to  the 
ground. 

Clambering  heavily  to  his  feet  the  daimio  strove  to 
draw  his  sword;  but  Shikara,  with  a  trick  of  jujutsu, 
tripped  him  suddenly.  Kira  stumbled  and  fell.  Ere 
he  could  recover  the  youth  sprang  to  the  saddle. 

Lightning  flashed,  a  peal  of  thunder  rent  the  heavens. 
Camellia  crouched  shuddering  behind  her  lover. 

"Fear  not,  Dear  One,"  he  whispered,  "the  clouds 
will  swiftly  flee.", 

IV 

MY   SWORDS 

Within  my  treasure  house  a  casket  lies, 

And  shut  therein  two  dragons  writhe  and  moan; 
As  I  keep  vigil  in  the  night  alone 

My  spirit  is  tormented  with  their  cries. 

i 

Be  still  my  swords.     Alas!  not  yet,  not  yet. 

The  day  of  vengeance  dawns;  ye  need  not  fear, 

Inexorably  swift  it  draweth  near. 
Be  still  nor  deem  that  e'er  I  shall  forget ! 

PEAKE-KIMURA. 


The  Scarlet  Thread  307 

The  next  day  Kurano  confirmed  the  evil  tidings ;  bid- 
ding the  lonely  orphan  come  to  Yedo  and  share  his  home. 

"Father,"  entreated  Shikara,  "since  Camellia  and  I 
love  each  other  may  we  not  now  be  wedded?" 

"Graver  duties  now  confront  us,"  confided  Kurano. 
"It  is  written:  'A  man  may  not  live  under  the  same 
heaven  with  the  murderer  of  his  friend. ' ' 

"Wilt  thou  slay  him?"  gasped  the  youth. 

"Verily  he  shall  die;  but  this  is  not  the  hour.  A 
thousand  samurai  guard  him  night  and  day,  while  we 
have  scarce  six  score.  Nathless  shall  I  bide  my  time!" 

To  all  observers  it  appeared  that  he  had  forgotten 
his  oath.  He  dismissed  the  samurai  of  Asano,  seventy 
of  whom  sought  service  under  new  masters.  Two  score 
and  seven,  however,  remained  loyal,  meeting  secretly 
at  a  mountain  camp  where  Kurano  unfolded  his  plan. 

"Let  us  bide  our  time,"  he  counselled,  "till  Kira 
deem  all  danger  past,  when  we  shall  more  surely 
compass  his  death." 

Each  conspirator  signed  the  compact  with  his  blood 
and  as  symbol  of  allegiance  bound  about  his  arm  a 
silken  scarlet  thread.  Full  well  each  warrior  knew  the 
certain  penalty.  Though  enjoined  by  ancient  custom, 
avenging  murder  was  punishable  by  death. 

Having  sworn  vengeance  they  parted,  wandering 
throughout  the  lands  as  ronins  (masterless  men), 
maintaining  themselves  as  best  they  might.  Coolies, 


3o8  Old  Japan 

fishermen,  and  porters,  they  plied  their  menial  tasks, 
patiently  biding  their  time. 

Their  arms  having  been  confiscated,  they  fabricated 
helmets,  bucklers,  and  swords.  A  thieves'  patter 
enabled  them  to  communicate  with  one  another  and 
peddlers  bore  their  messages. 

Disguised  as  servants  they  listened  to  the  secret 
councils  of  Kira  and  reported  all  to  Kurano. 

Kira  immured  himself  in  his  yashiki.  The  great 
gate  was  flanked  by  strong  guardhouses.  About  a 
central  courtyard  loomed  the  barracks.  A  labyrinth  of 
corridors  led  to  the  vast  audience  hall  patrolled  by 
vigilant  guards.  A  band  of  archers  on  the  roof  com- 
manded all  the  courtyards.  Thus  stoutly  defended, 
how  could  the  ronins  hope  to  take  the  yashiki? 

When  Kira  fared  abroad  mounted  samurai  sur- 
rounded him  with  a  wall  of  steel.  At  board  he  was 
served  by  armed  retainers,  and  "drank  his  wine  through 
helmet  barred."  Day  and  night  he  wore  chain-mail 
beneath  his  broidered  robe.  A  lurking  fear  of  sudden 
death  stalked  ever  at  his  side,  banishing  sleep  from  his 
sunken  eyelids. 


1  Golden  wine  in  a  silver  bowl 
Is  true  contentment  to  the  soul. 
A  Geisha  maid  with  lustrous  eyes 
Is  true  contentment  to  the  wise. 
Then  dance  and  drink  for  man  is  meant 
To  laugh  and  love  and  be  content!" 


The  Scarlet  Thread  309 

Months  dragged  by  and  the  ronins  gave  no  sign.  To 
all  seeming  they  had  vanished  from  the  face  of  the  earth. 

Kurano  sought  to  lull  Kira  into  a  sense  of  security. 
He  feigned  the  life  of  a  drunkard.  Abandoning  wife 
and  children  he  frequented  the  Yoshiwara. 

Ishi  surprised  him  one  evening  roystering  amid  a 
troop  of  geisha. 

Tearfully  she  pleaded,  "Come  back  with  me  my 
husband.  Hast  thou  forgotten,  when  our  first-born 
babe  died,  how  affliction  only  bound  us  more  closely? 
No  sorrow  can  be  too  great  for  us  to  face  together." 

"Get  thee  gone,  old  hag,"  Kurano  retorted,  tossing 
down  a  bowl  of  sake.  "By  Benten,  I  am  weary  of 
thee.  Here  be  pretty  maids  aplenty.  These  be  my 
sweethearts!" 

LAUGHTER,  SAKE,  AND  SONG. 

"How  true  the  saying  of  the  olden  age 

Of  sages,  now  whose  learned  lips  are  dust, 
Who  gave  to  sake  blest  the  name  of  '  Sage.' 
Drink  ere  ye  crumble  too  to  common  rust! 

Better  than  futile  mouthings  of  the  wise 

Is  sake  sweet,  beloved  of  all  good  men. 
Drink  while  ye  may !     The  golden  moment  flies, 

Once  flown,  you  ne'er  the  cup  may  sip  again. 

Who  loves  not  sake,  song,  and  women  sweet, 

Remaineth  all  his  life  a  beggar  blind. 
When  such  an  one  I  sometimes  sadly  meet, 

Scarce  better  than  an  ape  this  fool  I  find. 


310  Old  Japan 

What  worth  are  priceless  gems  and  treasures  rare, 

Or  all  the  gold  of  Ophir  shining  bright? 
Can  they  with  one  small  sake  cup  compare 

To  banish  care  and  summon  sure  delight? 

So  long  as  in  my  hand  I  hold  the  key 
To  open  wide  the  door  of  life's  glad  feast, 

What  boots  it  though  the  future  fate  decree 
That  I  become  an  insect  or  a  beast? 

If  in  another  form,  another  life, 

Aught  else  but  man,  I  rather  then  would  be 
A  sake-jar,  my  heart  with  gladness  rife, 

Though  wrought  from  earth  I  hold  the  heavens  in  me ! " 

YAKAMOCHI. 


"Surely,  dear  husband,  thou  art  mad,"  bemoaned 
Ishi.  "Grief  for  thy  friend  hath  crazed  thy  mind." 

"Art  thou  not  af eared  to  live  with  a  madman?" 
laughed  Kurano. 

"Nay,  beloved  Lord,  I  fear  thee  not.  Cruelty  and 
unkindness  are  foreign  to  thy  nature.  Come,  let  me 
take  thee  home! " 

Kurano  smiled  for  a  moment  in  his  old,  loving  way: 
"Thou  art  a  noble  soul,"  he  whispered,  then  resumed 
his  raving. 

"Canst  thou  give  me  back  my  dead  Asano,  whom  I 
loved  more  than  wife  or  child?  Canst  thou  efface 
the  memory  of  his  murder?  These  hands  dealt  the 
death-blow  that  he  might  not  linger  in  agony.  With 
his  own  sword  I  severed  his  dear  head.  It  rolled  a 


The  Scarlet  Thread  311 

little  way,  then  gazed  upon  me  with  wide  reproachful 
eyes.  I  lifted  it,  the  lips  quivered  as  though  they 
whispered.  I  listened  but  the  lips  were  silent.  Then 
I  wrapped  it  in  my  robe  and  fled.  Alas!  my  beloved 
Asano,  thou  wilt  ne'er  return!" 
He  droned  a  plaintive  rune : 

"  Fate  with  her  changing  tune 
Keeps  her  appointed  time, 
Her  ever  breaking  thread 
For  ever  spinning, 
We  who  are  singing,  soon 
Will  cease  to  rhyme, 
Our  moment  will  be  sped  ..." 

JOHN  MASEFIELD. 


SNOW  LANTERNS 

How  sad  his  heart  as  slowly  he  departed 
Far  from  his  home,  where  oft  his  feet  had  trod 
Through  the  deep  snow  of  fallen  cherry  blossoms, 
Far  from  Harima,  where  on  autumn  nights 
He  donned  the  red  brocade  of  maple  leaflets. 
Despondent  now,  his  mind  could  dwell  on  naught 
But  thought  of  home,  of  wife,  and  child  beloved, 
Whose  future  loomed  so  sinister  and  dark. 

KOJIMA. 

One  bitter  evening  as  Camellia  crouched  over  the 
hibachi,  the  shoji  were  thrust  suddenly  aside  and 
Kurano  staggered  in. 


312  Old  Japan 

With  a  trill  of  joyful  recognition  she  ran  to  greet 
him,  then  shrank  back  in  dismay — Kurano  was  drunk! 

"Where  is  fam-'ly?"  he  asked  thickly. 

"Mother  has  gone  to  Yedo  and  Shikara  not  yet 
returned  from  work.  The  children  are  playing  in  the 
garden."  . 

"Ho,  Take!"  called  Kurano.  "What  mischief  art 
thou  about  ?  Burying  thy  brother  in  the  snow  ?  Faith, 
'tis  a  pretty  game.  Let  me  play  it  with  you,"  and  he 
sallied  forth.  "Lo  we  will  make  each  others'  funeral 
lanterns." 

Camellia  watched  with  vague  misgiving. 

"Lanterns  of  the  dead!  an  evil  omen,"  she  shuddered. 

Kurano  was  not  as  drunk  as  he  seemed,  for  he 
worked  with  the  skill  of  a  stone  carver,  chiselling  his 
lantern  with  bold  strokes,  to  the  unbounded  delight 
of  the  boys. 

Shouts  of  uproarious  hilarity  resounded  from  the 
garden. 

Shaking  the  snow  from  his  straw  coat  Shikara  entered. 

"Father  is  here!"  he  exclaimed  eagerly. 

"His  body  is  here,"  sighed  Camellia,  "his  soul 
hath  not  yet  returned  from  its  wandering." 

Kurano  entered  erect  of  bearing  and  clear  of  speech. 
Camellia  gazed  upon  him  in  wide-eyed  wonder. 

"Father,"  rejoiced  Shikara,  "thou  hast  come  at 
last!" 

"0  lad  of  little  faith,"  he  reproached  gently,  "didst 


The  Scarlet  Thread  313 

thou  not  divine  that  my  madness  was  but  a  ruse  to 
deceive  Kira?" 

"Thanks  be  to  the  gods,"  cried  the  youth.  "Wilt 
thou  not  give  Camellia  a  father's  blessing?  May  we 
not  wed  when  fall  the  cherry  blossoms?" 

"Alas!"  he  sighed.     "I  fear  it  may  not  be." 

He  pointed  to  the  snow-lanterns.  "The  monuments 
of  men  outlast  their  lives,"  he  said  solemnly.  "Ere 
the  camellias  flower  thy  lantern  and  thy  life  may  alike 
have  vanished." 

"Grant  us  hope,"  Shikara  besought,  "if  only  for  a 
winter's  day." 

"Then  hope  one  little  blissful  hour 

Brief  as  the  fleeting  dew, 
Though  she  henceforth  like  some  frail  flower 
Yearn  endlessly  for  you." 

Murmured  the  father,  joining  their  hands  in  blessing. 

Amidst  the  silver-lichened  branches  light 

Singeth  the  nightingale:  "Lo,  spring  hath  come! " 

Perchance  it  dreams — mistaking  snowflakes  white 
For  wind-blown  blossoms  of  the  burgeoned  plum. 

SOSEI. 

Thus  carolled  Camellia  as  she  went  to  meet  her  lover. 

Snow  had  fallen.  Bare  boughs  and  tiny  twigs 
gleamed  as  with  a  burden  of  blossoms. 

"Spring  will  soon  be  here,"  smiled  the  maid,  her 
heart  filled  with  ineffable  joy. 


314  Old  Japan 

The  plangent  boom  of  a  monastery  bell  echoed 
through  the  wood.  Its  solemn  notes  died  mournfully 
away.  A  thud  of  galloping  hoofs  suddenly  hammered 
the  ground. 

Camellia  leaped  behind  a  tree,  as  a  troop  of  horsemen 
rushed  from  the  forest. 

Springing  to  earth  they  dragged  her  from  hiding, 
and  threw  her  swooning  into  a  norimon. 

Shikara  waited  in  bitter  apprehension.  Why  had 
Camellia  failed  to  keep  the  tryst?  Had  some  unknown 
peril  encompassed  her?  He  strode  swiftly  forward 
hoping  each  moment  to  glimpse  her  smiling  face. 

Then  he  came  to  a  clearing  where  the  fresh  fallen 
snow  was  mired  by  trampling  feet.  Presently  he 
discerned  prints  of  little  cloven  tabi.  Following  these, 
half  hidden  in  the  snow,  he  found  a  maiden's  clog. 

Assailed  by  dire  forebodings  he  hurried  home. 
"Where  is  Camellia?"  he  cried  distractedly. 

"Didst  thou  not  meet  her?"  gasped  his  mother. 

"Is  this  her  geta?"  he  demanded,  displaying  the  tiny 
clog. 

"Of  a  surety  Shikara.  Behold  the  band  is  broken 
I  mended  yestreen." 

The  youth  ran  to  the  garden.  "Father,"  he  cried, 
"Kira  hath  rapt  Camellia!  Now  is  the  time  to  strike!" 

He  lifted  from  the  tokonoma  the  blood-stained  sword 
of  Asano.  Raising  the  blade  reverently  to  his  forehead 
he  prayed: 


O 


*" 


J"    : 


3    - 


S   .2 


m. 


"  Instantly  Shikara  loomed  above  him,  his  blade  flashing  like  a 
lightning-bolt " 

From  "  Old- World  Japan,"  by  T.  H.  Robinson 
Permission  of  Macmillan  Co. 


The  Scarlet  Thread  315 

"Dread  Amida!    Grant  me  the  honour  of  washing 
away  these  stains  in  the  blood  of  Kira!" 


VI 

RETRIBUTION 

The  time  dragged  by  till  our  hearts  were  broken, 
The  time  dragged  by  till  we  cursed  the  sun; 

Now  the  hour  has  struck  and  the  word  is  spoken. 
The  time  is  fallen  and  the  deed  begun. 

JOHN  MASEFIELD. 

Cautious  taps  on  darkened  shoji,  hurried  whisperings 
at  doors  held  stealthily  ajar,  and  the  forty-seven, 
gathered  for  the  attack,  tramped  grimly  through  the 
thick-fallen  snow. 

At  a  few  paces  from  the  yashiki  they  halted,  while 
Kurano  alone  approached  the  great  gate.  Without, 
retainers  holding  their  lords'  horses  and  litter-bearers 
stamping  to  keep  themselves  warm,  thronged  the 
courtyard.  Within,  lights  glittered,  servitors  ran  to 
and  fro,  and  from  encircling  galleries  lute,  samisen, 
and  laughter  broke  upon  the  winter  night. 

"Kira  holds  high  revel,"  he  warned.  "We  must 
wait  until  the  drunkards  have  departed  and  the  house- 
hold is  wrapped  in  slumber:  Then  half  our  band  shall 
clamber  over  the  roofs  while  I  will  force  the  water- 
gate." 


316  Old  Japan 

"How  can  I  wait?"  cried  Shikara.  "While  he 
carouses  with  his  boon  companions,  Camellia  is 
still  safe;  but  after — .  Let  me  go  to  her  upon  the 
instant!" 

"They  might  deem  thee  a  guest  wert  thou  fittingly 
garbed,"  mused  Kurano,  "but  thine  armour  will 
betray  thee." 

The  youth  drew  from  his  saddlebag  a  gilt  encrusted 
robe. 

"'Tis  well,  my  son,"  assented  the  father,  "but 
beware  to  attack  Kira  until  I  give  the  sign.  I  will 
sound  my  horn  when  we  have  overpowered  the  guards 
at  the  water-gate." 

Having  donned  the  broidered  robe  above  his  lac- 
quered mail,  Shikara  made  his  way  unchallenged  to 
the  lofty  banquet-hall.  Behind  the  dais,  where  Kira 
was  enthroned  before  a  group  of  parasites,  crouched 
the  youth  silently  biding  his  opportunity. 

Overcome  with  sake  a  roysterer  lumbered  against 
the  tokonoma,  crashing  its  sacred  images  to  the  floor. 

Kira  went  suddenly  white. 

Drawing  his  sword,  Shikara  edged  his  way  nearer  and 
nearer  the  doomed  man.  An  instant  later  a  trium- 
phant cry  rang  through  the  silent  courtyard. 

Guards  and  guests  rushed  madly  forth. 

Kira  rose  and  met  the  relentless  eyes  of  Shikara,  a 
scornful  sneer  tightening  his  flabby  lips. 

They    glared   at    each    other    like    two   mountain 


The  Scarlet  Thread  317 

lions,  the  giant  daimio  towering  over  his  diminutive 
antagonist. 

Nearer  and  nearer,  with  stealthy  step,  crept  the 
avenging  youth.  The  smile  of  disdain  upon  the  face 
of  Kira  widened  to  a  snarl  of  rage.  Like  a  stroke  of 
lightning  his  sword  flashed  and  fell! 

Lithe  as  a  serpent  Shikara  darted  from  beneath  the 
descending  blade,  as  its  keen  edge  fleshed  his  left  arm, 
from  elbow  to  wrist. 

Blind  with  pain  the  boy  lunged  blunderingly  against 
his  cool  and  watchful  adversary. 

With  a  sudden  feint  Kira  caught  him  off  his  guard 
and,  tripping  his  feet,  threw  him  to  the  floor. 

Ere  he  could  recover  the  dastard  dashed  over  his 
prostrate  body  into  the  open  court. 

Clambering  dazedly  to  his  feet,  Shikara  pursued  his 
fleeing  enemy  through  courtyard  and  palace,  gallery, 
loft,  and  chamber,  till  he  came  to  the  garden  of  the 
geisha.  Thrusting  aside  shrieking  women,  the  youth 
rushed  in,  only  to  find  it  vacant. 

Returning  to  the  corridors  he  found  himself  con- 
fronted by  a  dozen  lusty  knaves.  Fencing  warily  he 
was  driven  backward,  step  by  step. 

He  had  smitten  two  to  earth,  but  the  remainder  were 
slowly  closing  in  upon  him.  A  halberd  point  had 
pierced  his  mail  and  he  felt  himself  growing  faint  from 
loss  of  blood. 

Suddenly  the  sound  of  a  horn  was  heard,  succeeded 


3i 8  Old  Japan 

by  the  boom  of  a  great  battering  ram.  Kurano  was 
charging  through  the  water  gate ! 

A  clamour  of  shouts  mingled  with  clash  of  steel  and 
the  youth's  opponents  fled. 

All  was  silent  save  for  the  piteous  cries  of  the 
geisha. 

"Go,"  commanded  Kurano  loosing  the  bars  of  the 
great  gate,  and  sounding  the  assembly. 

Eagerly  each  ronin  scanned  his  fellow,  then  bowed 
his  head.  No  trace  of  Kira  could  be  found.  Their 
enterprise  had  failed ! 

"Lend  a  torch,"  cried  Shikara,  and  bent  himself  to 
scrutiny  of  a  plan. 

But  as  his  finger  traced  chamber  after  chamber  the 
ronins  swore  they  had  made  the  rounds  of  all. 

"Have  you  searched  this  building?"  demanded 
the  youth  pointing  to  a  "go-down,"  near  the  outer 
wall. 

"There  is  no  door  by  which  we  may  enter,"  pro- 
tested the  ronins. 

"Then  will  we  make  one,"  declared  Shikara. 

Followed  by  the  band  the  youth  stole  down  a 
corridor,  tapping  the  walls  cautiously  with  his 
hands. 

As  he  pressed  the  frame  of  an  ancient  painting  the 
panel  yielded,  revealing  an  opening  through  which  a 
man  might  pass. 

Climbing  through  the  screen,  the  youth  found  him- 


The  Scarlet  Thread  319 

self  in  a  cloistered  garden.  Upon  its  snow-strewn 
pathways  he  discerned  footprints,  which  led  to  the 
storehouse,  hidden  behind  a  thicket  of  tall  bamboo. 

Forcing  the  heavy  door  he  entered.  In  the  sooty 
darkness  half -concealed  beneath  a  pile  of  'charcoal 
crouched  a  white-robed  form. 

"Come  forth,  murderer,"  cried  Shikara,  but  the 
cowering  figure  only  shrunk  more  deeply  into  the 
gloom. 

The  youth  prodded  the  heap  with  his  halberd. 

Crying  for  mercy  knelt  the  craven  Kira. 

Inexorably  the  ronins  led  him  to  the  Judgment 
Chamber.  Respectfully  as  became  his  exalted  station 
Kurano  addressed  the  condemned  daimio. 

"We  are  the  followers  of  Lord  Asano,  sworn  to  avenge 
our  master's  unjust  death.  It  is  my  duty,  Lord  Kira, 
to  command  you  to  perform  seppuku." 

But  the  trembling  prisoner  gave  no  answer.  Again 
the  demand  was  repeated  and  a  sword  extended  to 
him. 

He  snatched  the  dirk  and  aimed  a  treacherous 
thrust  at  Kurano,  which  the  latter  parried;  then, 
springing  through  the  doorway,  Kira  strove  to  save 
himself  by  flight. 

Instantly  Shikara  loomed  above  him.  His  blade 
flashed  like  a  lightning-bolt,  and  from  Kira's  severed 
head  a  "Scarlet  Thread"  reddened  the  snow-white 
pebbles  of  the  court! 


320  Old  Japan 

VII 

THE  BREAKING  OF  THE  THREAD 

The  Heart  of  a  Samurai 

The  snow-flowers  frail  are  falling  cold  and  white, 
Athwart  thin  pines  the  pallid  moonlight  gleams, 
Slanting  its  frosty  rays  in  fitful  streams 
Upon  the  dark  brocade  of  winter  night. 
A  loveliness  endues  the  mountain-height 
Born  of  the  drifting  mist  of  dying  dreams; 
So  to  my  frost-bound  heart  all  living  seems 
But  ghosts  of  vanished  blooms  of  vain  delight. 

Sorrow  and  Joyance,  Fear  and  Hate  and  Love, 
Phantoms  of  faded  blossoms  cold  and  stark, 
Blown  to  that  endless  Nothing  whence  they  came, 
Melting  like  snow-flowers  falling  from  above 
Beneath  the  ruthless  rays  of  Noon's  red  flame, 
Thus  flares  our  light  a  little — then  is  dark. 

Soon  shall  a  scarlet-thread  pollute  my  sword 
And  give  my  earthly  spirit  back  to  Death; 
But,  though  my  body  be  bereft  of  breath, 
Still  shall  my  deathless  Soul  protect  my  Lord. 

KATSUTOMO. 

Wiping  his  blade  upon  the  robe  of  the  dead  daimio, 
Shikara  hurried  forth  in  quest  of  Camellia. 

The  stillness  of  death  brooded  over  the  vast  yashiki. 
White  and  silent  the  murdered  guards  lay  before  the 
open  gate. 


The  Scarlet  Thread  321 

The  youth  made  his  way  through  the  dim,  deserted 
galleries.  A  gust  of  wind  chilled  him  to  the  bone  as 
he  entered  a  frost-bound  garden.  A  wan  moon  threw 
its  blue-white  beams  upon  the  muffled  forms  of  flowers. 
Frozen  lilies  bent  their  fragile  stalks  burdened  with 
wealth  of  mimic  bloom. 

An  ancient  quatrain  came  to  his  mind : 

The  lilies  shrouded  lie  beneath  the  snow, 
So  deep  we  may  no  trace  of  them  behold; 

But  still  their  presence  we  may  surely  know, 
Their  fragrance  fadeth  not,  though  dead  and  cold. 

v    TSURAYUKI  (KOKINCHIU). 

A  great  stone  lantern  threw  its  ghostly  ray  upon  a 
maiden's  snow-shrouded  form. 

"Camellia,"  he  cried,  a  cruel  foreboding  gripping 
his  heart. 

Silent  and  motionless  she  lay  in  the  drifting  snow,  a 
scarlet  ribbon  fluttering  from  her  throat. 

Clasping  her  in  his  arms  Shikara  strained  her  to 
him  with  the  strength  of  inexorable  hope. 

A  poniard  fell  from  her  hand.  She  uttered  a  low 
moan.  A  smile  blossomed  on  her  lips,  then  swiftly  faded 
and  was  gone. 

A  flurry  of  snow  petals  fell  upon  her  flower-white 
face. 

"Grieve  not,  Beloved,"  whispered  Shikara.  "I  shall 
clasp  thy  spirit  as  I  clasp  thy  body!" 


322  Old  Japan 

He  sank  upon  his  sword  and  a  great  darkness  came 
over  him. 

Snow  Blossoms 

As  fall  the  silent  snowflakes  to  the  ground, 
So  drifts  my  soul  unto  the  ceaseless  night 
Of  life's  relentless  winter  stark  and  white, 
Where  Time  is  not  nor  Light  nor  any  sound, 
Only  an  endless  silence  all  around, 
Ruthless  Nirvana,  cold  and  infinite, 
Eternal  nothing,  void  of  love's  delight — 
Is  thus  my  worn  out  thread  of  life  unwound. 

Wherefore  as  falls  a  fragile  frosted  flower 
Beneath  the  crushing  weight  of  winter's  blast, 
Break  now  my  thread  of  life  this  hour! 
May  it  not  be  that  there  behind  the  sky, 
Snow-blossoms  falling,  falling  from  on  high, 
The  spring,  the  long-longed  spring,  hath  come  at  last  ? 

SHIKISHI-FUKAYABA. 

AFTERWORD 

Dauntlessly  the  forty-seven  paid  with  their  own 
hands  the  death-penalty. 

Upon  the  grave  of  their  lord  they  laid  the  head  of 
Kira,  praying: 

"Spirit  of  our  dead  master!  We  come  this  day  to 
cheerfully  lay  down  our  lives.  We  who  have  eaten 
thy  bread  could  not  live  under  the  same  heaven  nor 
tread  the  same  earth  with  the  enemy  of  our  lord!" 

21 


w     fe 


CHAPTER  XI 

THE  OPEN  GATE 

I 
THE  GRAND  OLD  MAN 

TT  was  in  the  fall  of  1852  that  I,  Dave  Hazard,  foreign 
•*•  correspondent  of  the  American  Reptiblic,  received 
the  following  letter: 

NEW  YORK,  November  21. 
MY  DEAR  HAZARD: 

You  have  probably  heard  that  Commodore  Perry  has 
sailed  on  his  diplomatic  expedition  to  Japan. 

The  press  has  exhausted  every  means  in  its  power  to 
obtain  permission  to  send  correspondents  with  the  fleet, 
but  the  Government  has  rigorously  refused. 

However,  yours  truly  proposes  to  scoop  his  rival  brothers 
of  the  ink-well,  in  the  following  manner.  With  the  enclosed 
passports  and  letter  of  credit  sail  immediately  to  Bombay. 
Thence  overland  to  Calcutta, — two  months  ought  to  make 
it.  Then  by  mail  steamer  to  Shanghai,  where  we  figure 
the  fleet  will  anchor  about  the  middle  of  May. 

Present  credentials  to  Commodore  Perry,  and  obtain 
some  sort  of  commission  on  his  flag-ship.  If  you  get  the 

323 


324  Old  Japan 

Republic  in  first  you  can  have  any  place  on  the  staff.  You 
are  a  live-wire  and  your  linguistic  attainments  fit  you 
admirably  for  the  post. 

We  depend  upon  you  to  succeed.  Stoker  or  cabin-boy, 
it  does  not  matter  what,  but  get  something.  If  the  "old 
man  "  is  obdurate  go  as  a  stowaway.  Stay  not  on  the  man- 
ner of  your  going  but  go! 

WILLIAM  NUTLEY, 
Editor-in-Chief. 

J  followed  instructions  but  reached  Shanghai,  too 
late.  Perry  had  just  sailed  for  Japan! 

By  good  luck,  however,  I  found  a  Japanese  fishing- 
craft  bound  for  the  Loo-Choo  Islands  and  bribed  the 
captain  to  give  me  passage. 

After  a  nasty  voyage  on  the  treacherous  Yellow 
Sea  we  sighted  the  island  of  Oshima.  Perry's  fleet  lay 
at  anchor  in  the  palm-fringed  bay. 

Presenting  my  credentials  I  hopefully  boarded  the 
Susquehanna.  But  to  all  my  eloquence  "the  grand  old 
man"  turned  a  deaf  ear. 

In  vain  I  urged  him  to  accept  me  as  interpreter,  since 
I  possessed  a  rudimentary  knowledge  of  the  Japanese 
language. 

"Do  you  not  see,  Commodore,  that  I  can  be  of  vital 
service?"  I  persisted;  "I  have,  moreover,  a  friend  at 
Nagasaki,  who  will  present  me  to  the  Shogun,  on  whose 
favour  the  treaty  depends. " 

He  reflected  a  moment  and  my  hopes  soared  only  to 
crash  suddenly  to  the  ground. 


The  Open  Gate  325 

"Impossible,"  he  blurted  with  finality. 

"Very  well,"  I  shrugged;  "if  you  have  no  use  for  me 
I  shall  go  on  my  own  account.  Should  I  secure  the 
Shogun's  consent  to  the  treaty,  may  I  infer  you  would 
not  be  altogether  displeased?" 

"I  wish  you  success  and  shall  be  glad  to  hear  the  out- 
come of  your  venture,"  he  smiled,  "but  are  you  aware 
how  they  treat  'Foreign  Devils'  here?"  He  drew  his 
forefinger  across  his  throat  with  a  significant  sound. 
"Will  you  not  relinquish  this  reckless  plan?" 

"Never,"  I  insisted;  "a  fool  and  his  folly  are  ill 
parted!" 

"Damned  if  I  don't  like  your  pluck!"  he  laughed, 
wringing  my  hand. 

II 

FALSE  FRIEND   AND  FRIENDLY  FOE 

Ephemera 

Beneath  her  broidered  robe  of  satin  rare, 
Bound  by  an  obi  tied  in  a  great  bow, 
White,  cloven-stockinged  feet  flit  to  and  fro, 
Like  butterflies  a  flutter  in  the  air. 
While,  from  the  lustrous  lacquer  of  her  hair, 
And  pallid  oval  face  and  forehead  low 
Her  eyes,  twin  jets  within  a  lake  of  snow, 
Gleam  gladly  forth,  with  glances  debonair. 

A  fleeting  flower,  abloom  for  our  delight, 
A  winged  essence  from  a  blither  sky, 
Born  but  to  blossom  for  a  single  night, 


326  Old  Japan 

Then  swift  to  fade  into  the  realm  of  gloom. 
But  not  in  vain  thy  bright  ephemeral  bloom, 
Thy  fragrance  lingers  still  in  memory! 

The  day  was  deadly  sultry.  Suddenly  out  of 
a  vivid  cobalt  sky  came  a  torrential  tropic  down- 
pour. 

The  glad  little  hills  gleamed  green  and  glossy  like 
Delia  Robbia  enamels,  then  faded  grey  and  leaden  like 
Hiroshige  prints.  Again  the  sun  blazed  forth  revealing 
the  rain- washed  landscape. 

Hard  by,  a  vermilion  temple  unsheathed  its  sword- 
like  roof.  Beyond,  a  grassy  moor-land  ribboned  by  a 
silver  stream  rolled  away  to  coral  crags,  floating  mid 
sky  and  sea. 

Down  a  tortuous  trail  rode  a  cavalcade.  Stalwart 
spearmen  strode  in  advance  bearing  plumed  lances, 
crying  as  they  came: 

"Make  way  for  his  exalted  Highness,  the  august 
daimio  of  Satsuma!" 

I  drew  aside  to  allow  the  troop  to  pass;  when,  to  my 
surprise,  riding  by  the  side  of  the  daimio  I  recognized 
my  old  friend  Van  Zwyn. 

"By  all  the  gods!"  I  greeted;  "you  are  the  very  man 
I  am  looking  for!" 

But  the  fat  Dutchman  gave  me  only  a  cold  and  glassy 
stare. 

"Does  not  the  Honourable  Hollander  recognize  the 
Hairy  Barbarian?"  I  asked,  extending  my  hand. 


The  Open  Gate  327 

"I  never  saw  you  before  in  my  life,"  retorted  Van 
Zwyn,  scorning  my  proffered  courtesy. 

Astonishment,  anger,  and  chagrin  rankled  within  me. 
I  could  not  believe  he  had  failed  to  recognize  me.  Why 
did  the  cad  disdain  my  acquaintance? 

"Quit  joking,"  I  laughed ;  " you  know  me  well  enough. 
What  is  the  meaning  of  all  this  pretence?" 

"It  means,"  he  frowned,  "that  Holland  does  not 
intend  to  share  her  monopoly  with  the  United 
States.  Give  yourself  up  to  me  peaceably  and  I 
will  send  you  home;  or  else  I  will  deliver  you  to 
my  friend  the  Daimio  and  the  delights  of  Japanese 
torture!" 

Cutting  him  across  the  face  with  my  riding  whip  I 
cried: 

"Swine  of  a  Dutchman,  take  that  for  an  answer." 

In  a  flash  he  drew  his  revolver  and  fired!  The  bullet 
whizzed  by  my  ear  wounding  a  samurai,  who  slashed 
at  me  blindly  with  his  halberd. 

Wrenching  it  from  him,  I  belaboured  the  rascal 
roundly. 

A  second  samurai  rode  to  his  assistance.  I  struck 
the  sword  from  his  hand. 

On  came  another.  I  sent  him  reeling  with  a  crash 
on  the  head. 

The  fourth  I  gored  in  the  gorget.  Then,  hurling  the 
spear  in  his  face,  I  struck  the  rowels  into  my  pony  and 
galloped  down  the  road. 


328  Old  Japan 

There  was  a  pounding  of  hoofs  behind.  A  shot  rang 
out  and  my  bridle  hand  hung  limp. 

My  pony  raced  on  through  the  gathering  dusk. 

I  looked  back.  The  entire  troop  were  after  me,  Van 
Zwyn  riding  in  advance. 

A  volley  of  shots!  My  little  steed  bolted  like  a 
hunted  hare. 

I  drew  away  from  my  pursuers.  All  but  Van  Zwyn, 
who  gained  rapidly  upon  me. 

I  waited  till  he  was  abreast,  then,  turning  in  my 
saddle,  aimed  at  his  eyes. 

He  went  suddenly  white.  He  had  emptied  his  re- 
volver and  realized  that  he  was  at  my  mercy. 

I  thought  of  our  old  student  days  as  I  pulled  the 
trigger,  and  shot  his  horse  through  the  chest. 

Mount  and  rider  fell  in  a  huddled  heap. 

Up  an  avenue  of  palms  I  rushed  to  a  little  yashiki. 

I  thrust  the  shoji  aside  and  entered. 

A  girl  raised  her  child-like  face  questioningly  to  mine. 
With  a  low  sibilation  she  sank  like  a  wave  until  her 
charming  nose  touched  the  mat. 

"Ohayo,  Honourable  Foreign  Debbie!"  she  smiled 
enchantingly. 

Taking  both  her  hands  I  raised  her  gently.  Then 
catching  sight  of  my  bleeding  wrist : 

"Goddess  of  Light!"  she  shivered;  "what  those 
bloodeys?  Speak!  You  enjoy  honourable  suffering. 
Sweet  Shaka!  What  cruel  barbarian  done  that?" 


The  Open  Gate  329 

Instantly  she  raised  my  hand  to  her  lips  and  sucked 
the  blood  from  the  wound.  Then,  tearing  a  strip 
from  her  kimono,  she  bandaged  it  tenderly,  crooning 
the  while  as  a  mother  to  a  sleepless  babe. 

Suddenly  a  rapping  resounded  at  the  shoji. 

Pointing  to  a  ladder,  ''Quick,  make  honourable 
hurryings, "  she  whispered. 

Scarcely  had  I  mounted  to  the  loft  when,  with  a 
shattering  of  shoji  a  troop  of  samurai  clattered  in. 

" Most  Honourable  Princess, "  fawned  Van  Zwyn,  "I 
have  strong  suspicions  that  a  certain  Tojin  spy  is  hiding 
here." 

Bamboo  Blossom  laughed  nervously: 

"Ha!  ha!  Spy-To jin.  How  that  is  funny,  ha!  ha! 
I  din'  see  nobodys  excep  Swine  Dutch  Tojin!" 

"But  he  was  seen  to  enter,"  insisted  the  Hollander. 
"I'm  sorry  but  I  must  search." 

She  gave  a  sudden  gasp,  then  recovering : 

"All  light,"  she  laughed,  "I  don'  keer  Hddle  bit." 

The  samurai  ransacked  the  room  from  end  to  end. 

Setsu  San  turned  triumphantly  upon  the  intruder: 

"Now  you  satisfy,  you  fooel?  Tha's  what  I  say, 
nobody's  home !" 

His  brows  knitted  in  a  vicious  frown: 

"Evidently  not, "  he  grunted.  Then,  his  eyes  light- 
ing upon  the  ladder,  "  Search  the  loft, "  he  thundered. 

The  light  of  battle  glinted  in  her  eyes.  She  struck 
her  fan  against  her  palm: 


330  Old  Japan 

"Shimadzu, "  she  cried  sharply. 

A  mild-faced  youth  entered  quietly. 

"Make  searchings,  brother,"  she  commanded.  "Tell 
those  Honourable  Dutch  swine  Setsu  San  is  liar! 
Tell  him  she  make  hidings  bad  Hairy  Barbarian  in 
bedrooms. " 

The  youth  bowed.  A  faint  smile  of  comprehension 
flamed,  then  went.  He  climbed  the  ladder  and  gazed 
at  me  with  wide,  appealing  eyes.. 

Placing  his  finger  upon  his  lips  he  smiled  significantly, 
then  clambered  down. 

"There  is  no  one!"  he  asserted  calmly. 

"Did  you  search  thoroughly?"  questioned  Van 
Zwyn  sternly. 

"Everywhere,  Honoured  Tojin,"  the  youth  insisted. 

The  Dutchman  mumbled  a  clumsy  apology. 

"Make  goings,"  cried  Bamboo  Blossom,  "your 
Honourable  companys  not  desire  is.  You  are  permit 
to  withdraw. " 

A  clank  of  mailed  feet.  The  shoji  clattered  angrily 
and  all  was  still. 

I  waited  till  night-fall,  then  began  to  descend  the 
ladder,  when  a  little  hand  pressed  my  lips: 

"Sh — sh!"  she  warned,  "bad  Swine  Dutchman  make 
moon  -  shine  -  prowling  outsides.  Goon  nighty,"  she 
smiled,  "Nize  dream,  sweet  res  till  sunbeam!" 

I  clasped  her  tenderly  and  kissed  her  in  true  Ameri- 
can fashion. 


The  Open  Gate  331 

She  trembled  like  a  frightened  bird: 
"You  loaf  me  liddle  bit?"  she  questioned  timorously. 
"More  than  life!"  I  whispered. 
"Fare  bye,   beeg  beautiful  Foreign  Debbie,"   she 
laughed,  "Peace  sleep  till  sunbeams." 

Ill 

THE   INN  OF  HAPPY  MEETINGS 

The  traveller  from  far-off  foreign  land, 
The  friend,  his  long-lost  friend  to  gladly  greet, 
Fare  to  and  fro,  a  blithe  and  motley  band, 
Upon  the  hill  where,  wending  hand  in  hand 
Beneath  the  moon,  the  smiling  lovers  meet. 

(SEMI  MARU.) 

Disguised  as  a  daimio  travelling  nebon  I  journeyed 
safely  to  Kioto. 

Entering  the  inn,  where  a  party  of  Hatamotos  were 
carousing,  I  fell  into  the  arms  of  Van  Zwyn,  gloriously 
exhilarated  with  sake. 

Feigning  forgetfulness  of  our  late  quarrel,  he  slapped 
me  effusively  upon  the  back,  insisting  that  I  should 
drink  with  him. 

Fearing  that  refusal  might  result  in  a  brawl,  I  invited 
him  to  share  my  supper. 

He  hiccoughed  a  maudlin  farewell  to  his  companions 
and  staggered  up  the  stairway. 

"Good  fellowsh,"  he  spluttered,  "but  fishus,  too 
damn  off — off — vicious." 


332  Old  Japan 

"  Yes,  vicious  officials, "  I  volunteered  sympathetically. 

"Letsh  make  night  of  it,"  he  gurgled,  "Drinksh  all 
on  me,  Hap  Hazhard.  Order  whasher  like  for  shelf, 
but  for  me  oceans  of  sake. " 

"What  brings  you  to  Kioto?"  I  questioned,  as  a 
maid  brought  the  desired  lubricant. 

"Sush  a  lark!"  he  laughed  draining  his  sake  at  a 
gulp.  "  Lishen  Hap  Hazhard,  old  boy.  Been  sent  for 
by  Shon-of-a-gun — thash  a  joke,  shee  point?" 

"The  Shogun?"  I  ventured. 

"Yes,  Slowgun,"  he  corrected,  "wansh  me  to  trans- 
late letter  from  Presh-agent  United  States.  Jush  your 
job,  Hap  Hashhouse,  Press  Agent  Fillmore.  Nishe 
name,  fill  glash  more,"  suiting  the  action  to  the  word. 
"Nishe  job  if  thash  all  hash  do,  eh  what?" 

"Yes,"  I  assented  enviously,  "it  might  be  the 
nucleus  of  great  achievement. " 

"Thash  sho,"  he  laughed,  caught  by  the  unfamiliar 
term,  "a  nukelus,  ha!  ha!  shush  a  nukelus!"  and  bab- 
bling a  ribald  song  fell  sweetly  into  Nirvana. 

A  pock-faced  Hatamoto  entering  eyed  us  doubtfully. 
All  foreign  devils  evidently  looked  alike  to  him. 

"Which  Honourable  Tojin,"  he  asked,  "is  the  Sho- 
gun's  interpreter?" 

Van  Zwyn  opened  a  bleary  eye,  mumbling  drowsily, 
"Too  vicious,  too  damn  vicious." 

"  Give  your  message  to  me,  Officer, "  I  bluffed,  shad- 
ing the  light  that  he  might  not  note  my  face. 


The  Open  Gate  333 

"The  Honourable  Interpreter  should  not  forget  that 
in  the  morning  we  must  make  an  early  start." 

"True  enough,"  I  promised,  "I  will  be  ready." 

Kowtowing  obsequiously  the  Hatamoto  withdrew. 

Van  Zwyn,  rolling  upon  the  matting  grunted: 

"Yesh,  ol*  fishy,  call  me  early,  Mother  Dear,  goin' 
be  Queen  of  the  May!"  and  snoring  stertorously, 
relapsed  into  oblivion! 

Running  through  his  pockets,  I  appropriated  his 
credentials  and  left  him  to  sleep  off  his  debauch. 

The  night  was  filled  with  plaintive  strains  of  samisen. 
Through  the  garden  trees  I  could  see  a  bridal  couple 
drinking  the  nuptial  sake. 

Laughter  and  song,  clatter  of  cups  and  rap  of  pipes 
upon  hibahi  resounded  from  neighbouring  tea-houses. 

The  youth  bent  over  the  girl  and  whispered  some- 
thing. She  knelt  upon  the  floor,  clapping  her  hands  and 
droned  a  prayer. 

The  lanterns  were  extinguished ;  I  threw  myself  upon 
the  mats  and  fell  asleep  dreaming  that  I  was  the  youth 
and  the  maiden  O  Setsu  San  in  a  moonlight  of  mother- 
of-pearl. 

Dreams 

O  wondrous  magic  of  the  Nippon  night ! 
When,  like  a  ghostly  galley,  silently 
The  crescent  moon  sailed  down  the  cloudless  sky 
And  from  the  slumbrous  earth  rose  laughter  light 


334  Old  Japan 

With  whisperings  of  love  mid  lanterns'  bright, 

Burning  before  old  shrines  innumerably; 

We  were  alone  together  you  and  I 

Breathless  and  mute  with  wonder  and  delight. 

Out  of  the  past  there  floateth  through  the  gloom 

The  click  of  clogs  upon  the  pavement  white 

And  sigh  of  samisen  in  booths  above, 

With  intermingled  scent  of  cherry-bloom. 

O  wondrous  magic  of  the  Nippon  night, 

When  through  the  darkness  gleamed  the  light  of  love ! 

(After  YONE  NOGUCHI.) 


IV 


THE   PUPPET   SHOW 

Lurking  behind  a  screen  in  majestic  isolation  the 
Shogun  watched  the  marionettes,  while  unknown  to  all 
I  craftily  pulled  the  strings. 

Throned  upon  a  dais  between  the  Princes  of  Owari 
and  Satsuma  sat  the  Gotairo,1  cold,  impassive,  and 
inscrutable.  Ranged  about  the  walls  of  the  great 
chamber  crouched  -the  bright-robed  daimios  of  the 
realm. 

"August  Council  of  Elders,"  greeted  the  Gotairo, 
"we  are  gathered  here  to  take  council  concerning  a 
grave  and  unknown  menace.  The  sacrilegious  Tojin 
threatens  to  profane  our  sacred  land,  so  long  protected 
by  the  ancient  code  of  leyasu. " 

1  The  Gotairo,  the  Shogun 's  representative  and  chief  executive. 


The  Open  Gate  335 

Lifting  from  a  rose-wood  casket  a  vellum  document 
bearing  the  seal  of  the  United  States: 

"Behold  the  message!"  cried  the  Gotairo. 

"Let  it  be  heard,"  rumbled  the  assembly  in  unison. 

Taking  the  paper  I  carefully  translated: 

Millard  Fillmore,  President  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  to  his  Imperial  Majesty  the  Emperor  of  Japan, 
Great  and  Good  Friend: 

"  I  send  this  letter  by  Commodore  Matthew  C.  Perry  (a 
naval  officer  of  the  highest  rank)  to  propose  to  your  Majesty 
that  the  United  States  and  Japan  should  live  in  friendship 
and  have  commercial  intercourse  with  each  other." 

"These  be  but  idle  pretensions,"  stormed  Satsuma. 
"Beware,  the  Tojins  plot  to  invade  Dai  Nippon  and 
reinstate  the  Evil  Sect!" 

A  muttered  imprecation  rose  from  the  hundred 
daimios. 

"  'Tis  false!"  I  cried,  meeting  their  eyes  unflinchingly. 

"The  Constitution  and  laws  of  the  United  States," 
I  read,  "forbid  all  interference  with  the  political  and 
religious  concerns  of  other  nations!" 

A  hush  of  incredulous  surprise  fell  over  the  assembly. 

"Your  Highness,"  flashed  Satsuma,  "I  challenge  the 
accuracy  of  the  translation !  Who  is  this  interpreter?  " 

"The  official  expert  from  Nagasaki,"  affirmed  the 
Gotairo,  imperturbably. 

"Nevertheless,"  stammered  Satsuma,  momentarily 
bewildered,  "He  is  an  impostor!" 


336  Old  Japan 

The  Gotairo  smiled  inscrutably. 

"Are  you  perchance  aware,"  sneered  the  Prince, 
"that  he  is  an  American  spy?" 

"Preposterous,"  scoffed  the  Gotairo.  "Your  accu- 
sations are  groundless. " 

Satsuma  bowed  defeat.  "On  the  morrow,"  he  mut- 
tered, "your  Highness  shall  have  proof." 

"Meanwhile,"  resumed  the  Gotairo,  "if  you  still 
doubt  the  validity  of  this  translation,  know  that  it  has 
been  verified  by  the  Chinese  linguist  Hayashi. " 

Thereupon  a  grave,  goggled  gentleman,  salaaming 
profoundly,  announced:  "The  transcription  of  the 
Honourable  Interpreter  is  unassailably  exact. " 

I  could  not  forbear  a  smile  of  triumph  as  Satsuma 
sank  chin  upon  breast. 

"Why  is  it,"  I  demanded,  "that  you  have  granted 
to  Holland  a  commercial  monopoly?  The  Americans 
are  a  wealthier  people  than  the  Dutch ;  might  it  not  be 
to  your  advantage  to  trade  with  them?" 

Mutterings  of  dissent  ran  through  the  chamber. 

"We  have  no  need  of  the  Tojin's  money,"  protested 
Satsuma,  "nor  wilt  we  barter  our  honour  for  their 
filthy  trade." 

"Nor  their  long  guns  and  great,  black  ships?"  I 
smiled. 

"Might  we  not  rather  buy  their  weapons,  that 
we  may  arm  ourselves  against  them?"  suggested 
Mito. 


The  Open  Gate  337 

"Precisely,"  I  assented,  "should  you  ratify  the 
Treaty!"  The  Shogun  clicked  his  fan  and  passed  the 
Gotairo  a  letter. 

Pressing  it  to  his  forehead  he  read: 

"  In  the  last  famine,  our  people  perished  by  thousands, 
though  Korea  possessed  food  in  abundance,  which  the 
Code  of  leyasu  rendered  us  powerless  to  purchase.  Let 
us  arm  ourselves  against  such  disaster  by  revoking  this 
outworn  law!" 

Satsuma  knitted  his  brows.  Had  another  than 
the  Shogun  made  such  a  demand  he  might  have 
assented;  but  fighting  to  the  last  he  thundered! 

"  The  Code  of  leyasu  is  immutable!" 

"Immutable  as  fate,"  echoed  the  puppet  daimios. 

I  waited  till  their  uproar  subsided,  then  resumed  my 
reading: 

"  We  know  that  your  ancient  laws  do  not  allow  foreign 
trade;  but  as  the  world  changes  it  seems  wise  to  make 
new  laws.  If  your  Majesty  is  not  satisfied  to  entirely 
abrogate  ancient  decrees  they  might  be  suspended  for 
a  temporary  period." 

Satsuma  reiterated  firmly:  » 

"From  the  Code  of  leyasu  there  is  no  appeal!" 
"Is  permission  given  that  'The  Code'  be  consulted," 
I  asked. 

"Permission  is  granted,"  assented  the  Gotairo. 
The  Council  waited  in  hushed  expectancy. 


338  Old  Japan 

A  herald  crept  in  on  his  knees  bearing  a  time-stained 
scroll  upon  a  tray. 

"When  in  the  course  of  time  foreign  nations  beseech  inter- 
course" [I  read],  "the  matter  shall  be  deliberated  in  a  council 
of  the  daimios  and  the  Shogun  may  act  as  he  deems  best. 

"Ancient  customs  may  be  modified  as  it  becomes  expedi- 
ent. This  is  the  Shogun's  duty." 

"Ye  have  deliberated.    Let  the  Shogun  act!" 

A  sudden  crash  resounded  through  the  chamber! 
The  screen  fell.  Every  man  sprang  to  his  feet,  hand 
upon  hilt! 

In  a  movement  as  simultaneous  they  sank  upon  their 
knees  with  reverential  sibilations  like  the  rustling  of 
windswept  boughs. 

The  Shogun  stood  before  us,  his  face  transfigured 
by  a  wondrous  fire: 

"Sons  of  Nippon,"  he  cried,  "I  have  listened  to  the 
beating  of  your  loyal  hearts.  I  have  heard  how, 
rather  than  break  our  honoured  ancient  law,  ye  have 
with  heroic  devotion  scorned  the  wealth  of  the  foreigner; 
how  with  unflinching  courage  ye  have  suffered  famine 
and  pestilence,  beholding  your  loved  ones  perish  of 
hunger,  rather  than  buy  the  stranger's  bread. 

"Ye  have  resolved  in  childish  pride  to  pit  our  obsolete 
and  worthless  weapons  against  their  invincible  artillery, 
which  will  crush  us  as  inevitably  as  the  typhoon  crushes 
a  skiff.  Shall  we  not  rather  arm  ourselves  with  their 
resistless  weapons  even  as  the  immortal  leyasu  con- 


The  Open  Gate  339 

quered  his  enemies  by  means  of  the  Tojin  devil 
dust? 

"  This  opportunity  is  now  offered  us.  We  needs  must 
form  with  the  United  States  a  pact  for  permanent 
peace!" 

"leyasu  hath  spoken,"  shouted  the  daimios.  "He 
hath  given  thee  power!" 

Raising  his  hand  in  calm  command  leyoshi  quelled 
the  tumult: 

"The  spirit  of  my  great  ancestor  stands  before  me," 
he  smiled  as  one  a-dream.  "His  hand  is  on  mine  own. 
He  bids  me  sign  the  pact ! " 

V 

THE  CELL  OF  TORMENT 

When  cometh  spring  with  footsteps  light 
And  clotheth  earth  with  verdure  bright, 
The  songless  birds  with  songs  resound, 
And  cherry  petals  flood  the  ground. 
So  flowerless  since  'neath  winter's  white, 
I  scarce  can  bide  the  lovely  sight, 
So  soon  to  pass  into  the  night, 
Of  life  perfected  without  blight, 
When  cometh  spring. 

But  in  the  winter-tide  at  night, 
When  earth  is  bathed  in  wan  moonlight, 
And  fallen  leaves  drift  o'er  the  ground 
With  russet  rustlings  all  around — 
Then  yearn  I  for  the  year's  delight 

When  cometh  spring 

(OHOGIMI.) 


340  Old  Japan 

A  dull  foreboding  obsessed  me  as  I  rode  from  my 
lodging  that  drear  March  morning  in  quest  of  Setsu 
San. 

In  the  sleety  park,  oblivious  of  discomfort,  a  white- 
haired  artist  was  painting  industriously. 

"What  maniac  is  this?"  I  asked  myself.  Then 
suddenly  I  recognized  the  gentle  enthusiast  Hiroshige. 

"A  beautiful  morning,"  he  smiled,  "amethyst  and 
pearl!" 

"Mire  and  murk,"  I  muttered  irritably. 

"I  can't  hear  a  word  you  say,"  he  shrilled,  cupping 
his  ear. 

"Slush  and  gloom!"  I  shouted,  at  the  top  of  my 
lungs. 

"Yes,  yes,"  he  piped,  "the  plum  trees  are  in  bloom, 
though  we  can  scarcely  see  them.  You  remember  the 
poem? 

"  How  shall  I  know  the  plum's  white  bloom, 
In  the  silver  snow  of  the  winter  moon  ? 
By  the  fragrant  breath  of  the  frosty  air, 
You  shall  know  my  fragile  blossoms  fair!  " 

Heartened,  as  by  a  stirrup  cup,  I  resumed  my  ride. 

Dusk  was  falling  when  I  reached  Satsuma  yashiki. 
I  inquired  for  Setsu  San  and  the  guard  informed  me 
that  she  was  waiting  at  the  "go-down." 

I  hurried  to  the  treasure-house.  From  its  open  door- 
way glimmered  a  vague  light. 


The  Open  Gate  341 

"  Setsu  San, "  I  called,  peering  into  the  dusk. 

But  there  was  no  answer.  I  entered  cautiously. 
The  great  bronze  door  clanged  behind  me.  I  was 
caught  like  a  rat  in  a  trap. 

I  stumbled  heavily,  fell,  and  lay  for  hours  hungry, 
thirsty,  and  despondent,  for,  strive  as  I  might,  I  could 
devise  no  means  of  escape. 

A  rasping  voice  broke  the  silence: 

"I  will  not  use  the  poniard.  I  will  rush  upon  him 
and  break  his  neck!" 

"No,"  protested  the  other;  "stab  him  to  the 
heart!" 

"When?"  inquired  the  first  stolidly. 

"After  the  wrestling-match,  when  the  Commodore 
shakes  your  hand. " 

Incensed  beyond  control:  "Coward!"  I  cried,  "let 
me  out  of  this  rat-trap!" 

"No,  my  dear  friend,"  laughed  Van  Zwyn,  "you  will 
stay  just  where  you  are.  You've  had  your  innings, 
Hazard,  it's  my  turn  now!" 

Then,  turning  to  the  wrestler: 

" Driving  Wind!  keep  strict  watch!  At  the  hour  of 
the  rat  he  shall  have  a  taste  of  Japanese  torture." 

For  hours  I  waited  in  suspense,  eating  my  heart  out 
with  impotent  despair. 

The  wrestler  was  not  amenable  to  bribery.  He  was, 
however,  susceptible  to  drink  and  drained  my  flask, 
which  I  passed  through  a  crevice  in  the  floor.  All  night 


342  Old  Japan 

he  sang  hilariously,  but  at  last  collapsed  into  sodden 
slumber. 

Time  was  passing;  I  must  act  quickly,  but  how? 

I  looked  about  me.  A  lantern  hung  from  the  ceiling. 
An  armour-chest  stood  beneath. 

A  bamboo  pipe  protruded  through  the  floor. 

A  gruesome  tale  of  boiling  to  death  in  a  bath  flashed 
into  my  mind!  I  plugged  the  pipe  with  a  tattered 
kimono,  and  waited  for  my  fate. 

The  air  grew  foul.  An  odor  of  death  filled  the  cham- 
ber. I  became  faint  with  nausea. 

A  monastery  bell  knelled  its  melancholy  boom. 
Twice  it  struck,  reverberating  slowly  to  silence. 
"The  hour  of  the  rat!"  I  reflected  hopelessly. 

Suddenly  the  lantern  swayed! 

It  seemed  to  me  that  the  ceiling  was  descending. 

With  eyes  starting  from  their  sockets  I  strove  to 
pierce  the  darkness. 

A  reiterant  sound  of  wailing  echoed  in  my  ears. 

Again  I  looked  upward. 

To  my  consternation  the  ceiling  had  lowered  by  nearly 
a  foot. 

A  clammy  sweat  oozed  from  my  every  pore. 

Inch  by  inch,  in  a  descent  scarcely  perceptible, 
through  moments  that  seemed  interminable,  down  and 
down  it  came. 

The  roots  of  my  hair  stirred  as  I  realized  that,  do 
what  I  might,  I  could  not  escape  my  impending  doom. 


The  Open  Gate  343 

Down,  unceasingly  down  it  vibrated,  tilting  and 
swaying  as  it  came. 

I  struggled  to  rise  but  a  rigid  paralysis  held  me  fast. 

Lower  and  lower,  slowly  but  relentlessly  it  closed 
down  upon  me,  till  it  was  within  a  yard  of  my  head. 

In  vain  I  strove  to  thrust  it  back;  its  inexorable 
weight  crushed  me  to  my  knees. 

I  shut  my  eyes  and  prayed  that  a  miracle  might  stay 
its  irresistible  descent. 

Down,  ever  downward  it  crept,  till  it  hovered  just 
above  my  head. 

I  fell  upon  my  face  and  shrieked  in  blind  despair. 

Suddenly  it  paused,  held  by  the  heavy  chest! 

A  light  flashed  in  my  eyes!  A  voice  called  my  name, 
and  in  the  open  doorway  stood  Setsu  San! 

"Quick,  make  hurryings!"  she  cried.  "Here  is  the 
Khan,  mos*  swiftest  horse  in  all  Japan!" 

I  strained  her  to  my  heart,  then  leaped  to  saddle. 

"Ride  like  debble!"  she  laughed.  "You  gon'  save 
those  Perry  daimio,  then  come  back  marry  Setsu  San!" 

Striking  spurs  to  flank  I  was  off  like  the  wind. 


I  galloped  through  a  misty  landscape  like  pictures  on 
painted  fans. 

Old  gnarled  pines  and  thatch-roofed  Shinto  temples, 


344  Old  Japan 

billowy,  green  hillsides  and  level,  flooded  rice-fields 
whirled  swiftly  by.  Scarcely  a  soul  was  yet  abroad, 
save  an  occasional,  straw-clad  peasant  leading  a  spare- 
ribbed  pack-horse. 

Far  and  near  the  country-side  bloomed  like  a  garden. 
The  pools  were  thick  with  the  spreading  spatulas  of 
the  lotus,  though  not  a  solitary  blossom  yet  peeped  out. 

Now  and  again  I  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  shimmering 
sapphire  sea.  Then  through  a  rent  in  the  leaden  cloud 
beyond  the  mist-shrouded  horizon  where  hills  and  rice- 
fields  merged,  loomed  a  phantom  mountain,  pale,  pure, 
and  unearthly,  the  snow-white  cone  of  Fujiyama. 

I  recalled  an  ancient  poem: 

The  Mount  of  Fire 

Betwixt  Suruga  and  the  land  of  Kai 
Thou  liftest,  Fujiyama,  thy  white  head! 
The  very  clouds  of  heaven  in  reverent  dread 
Forbear  to  touch  thy  hoary  summit  high. 
Even  the  tireless  eagle,  soaring  nigh, 
Fails  to  attain  thy  heart  of  burning  red 
Where  ceaseless  fires  from  hidden  craters  fed 
On  fields  of  endless  snow  flare  fitfully. 

Within  thy  heart  a  lake  unfathomed  lies 
From  which  a  river  floweth  joyously, 
O'er  far  Yamato,  land  of  fair  sunrise, 
Blessing  her  fruitful  plains  with  glad  increase, 
Mountain  of  Fire,  Father  of  pain  and  peace 
Flame  within  ice,  Devil  and  Deity! 

ANON  (MANYOSHIU). 


The  Open  Gate  345 

A  rain-drop  whipped  my  face!  A  bolt  of  lightning 
flashed  across  the  sky.  I  was  riding  before  the  wrath 
of  the  March  monsoon. 

Suddenly  a  bullet  zipped  above  my  head.  Glancing 
backward  I  saw  a  troop  of  mailed  samurai  galloping 
upon  my  heels.  I  struck  home  the  spurs;  the  Khan 
snorted  and  sprang  forward  like  a  thunderbolt. 

A  volley  rang  behind  and  the  rain  burst  in  torrents. 

With  the  next  flash  I  saw  that  I  had  gained  slightly 
upon  my  pursuers.  I  spurred  again,  the  Khan  answered 
with  a  rush.  Thoroughbred  though  he  was,  could  he 
hold  the  pace? 

I  looked  over  my  shoulder;  the  samurai  were  closing 
up !  I  could  hear  their  muttered  imprecations. 

I  pressed  the  Khan's  flanks  with  my  legs.  He 
responded  nobly,  but  his  stride  soon  flagged.  He  had 
raced  three  miles  at  break-neck  speed  and  was  failing 
fast. 

A  volley  rattled  behind  me. 

I  urged  him  again,  spurring  relentlessly,  but  the 
rasping  wheeze  of  his  breathing  told  me  he  was  nearly 
spent. 

A  bullet  grazed  my  cheek.  I  unholstered  my  re- 
volver and  fired  blindly  into  the  galloping  troop. 

Two  burly  ruffians  fell,  but  the  remainder  pressed 
on  drawing  nearer  with  every  stride  till  I  could  hear  the 
laboured  breathing  of  their  steeds.  I  spurred  inces- 
santly but  the  Khan  could  give  no  more. 


346  Old  Japan 

A  shot  rang  close  behind  me,  I  wheeled  and  fired 
into  the  face  of  the  leader.  The  flash  revealed  the 
fright-bleached  features  of  Van  Zwyn,  as  horse  and 
rider  sank  in  a  huddled  heap. 

The  storm  had  ceased.  Before  me  unrolled  the 
vale  of  the  Kamagawa  like  a  brilliant  kakemono,  each 
knoll  and  pine  grove  gilded  with  the  sun.  A  turn  in  the 
road  revealed  a  streak  of  silver  in  the  grey-green  valley, 
where  a  river  gashed  the  plain. 

A  bamboo  bridge  spanned  it,  and  beyond,  only  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  distant,  lay  Kamagawa  and  safety. 

I  reached  forward  and  patted  the  Khan's  neck: 
"Only  one  more  spurt,  Little  Devil,"  I  coaxed  as  I  felt 
the  pumping  of  his  heart.  But  the  spring  was  gone 
from  his  haunches.  The  end  was  near. 

The  clatter  of  hoofs  drew  nearer  and  nearer!  An- 
other volley  rang  from  my  pursuers! 

A  flare  of  lightning  illumined  the  road  and  the 
storm  crashed  about  me  with  renewed  fury.  On  I 
splashed  through  mire  and  murk,  shouting  encourage- 
ment to  my  floundering  horse. 

A  flood  of  turbid  water  swelled  the  rivulet  to  a 
raging  torrent. 

Suddenly,  to  my  consternation,  where  should  have 
been  the  bridge,  I  saw  only  a  yawning  gulf.  I  bit  my 
lips  and  cursed. 

It  was  not  too  great  a  leap  for  a  fresh  mount;  but 
the  Khan  was  done  for! 


"  Banzais  rent  the  air !  Strains  of  patriotic  music  broke  from  the  ship's  bands,  as  we 

entered  the  Treaty  house  " 
From  U.  S.  Government  Report.     W.  Heine 


"  At  last,  with  a  supreme  effort,  Driving  Wind  lifted  his  antagonist  and  pinned 
him  violently  to  the  ground !  " 


From  U.  S.  Government  Report.     W.  Heine 


•a 
§ 

I 


•a 

o 

1 


The  Open  Gate  347 

I  had  emptied  my  revolver.     The  game  was  lost! 

Suddenly  I  felt  him  stiffen  under  me.  I  laughed 
like  a  madman.  He  was  willing  to  try  the  leap ! 

"Go  it,  Little  Devil!"  I  cried,  gripping  the  reins  and 
leaning  to  the  take  off. 

"Hai!  Hai!"  I  yelled  giving  him  the  spur. 

He  left  the  bank  like  a  shaft  of  lightning! 

I  gritted  my  teeth,  expecting  to  fall  into  the  stream  or 
be  dashed  in  fragments  against  the  further  bank.  I 
shut  my  eyes  and  prayed.  That  one  moment  seemed  a 
lifetime ! 

The  Khan  faltered  an  instant,  then  rose. 

He  landed  safe!  He  made  the  jump,  but  it  broke  his 
heart.  He  staggered  blindly  on  to  the  village,  his  knees 
collapsed,  and  he  dropped  like  a  stone. 

Shots  resounded  from  my  baffled  pursuers,  who  pulled 
in  their  horses  at  the  very  brink. 

A  great  darkness  fell  over  me. 

The  next  thing  I  knew  a  Jacky  from  the  Mississippi 
was  bathing  my  head  with  a  wet  sponge. 

VII 

RECOMPENSE 

The  Commodore  bent  over  me  in  kindly  solicitude: 
"You  have  done  the  impossible,  Hazard,"  he  laughed. 
"You  have  forged  the  key  to  the  Open  Gate!" 

His  words  heartened  me  like  wine.     I  recalled  my 


348  Old  Japan 

mission,  telling  him  of  Van  Zwyn's  cowardly  plot  against 
his  life. 

"He  has  found  his  final  recompense,"  he  interposed. 
"Return  with  me;  your  good  work  shall  not  pass 
unnoticed. " 

Longing  for  O  Setsu  San  held  me  inexorably. 

"My  heart  is  in  Japan, "  I  confided  frankly. 

"H — m,  I  see,"  he  smiled.  "You  shall  stay  as 
Secretary  of  the  American  Legation. " 

He  wrung  my  hand  as  I  stammered  my  gratitude. 

The  Wrestlers 

Upon  the  beach  a  troop  of  bronze-skinned  Nios  were 
lumbering  about  like  burly  elephants. 

About  their  loins  were  girded  silken  sashes  embla- 
zoned with  the  crests  of  their  respective  daimios. 

Their  massive  chests  and  stalwart  thighs  were  bare. 
Never  had  I  seen  men  of  greater  stature  nor  more 
prodigious  weight. 

Their  patrons  were  proudly  displaying  to  the  Ameri- 
can officers  the  points  of  their  champions. 

As  a  test  of  strength  the  daimios  ordered  them  to 
carry  sacks  of  rice  to  the  shore.  Each  sack  weighed 
over  a  hundred  pounds,  and  each  wrestler  bore  two 
sacks.  One  carried  a  sack  by  his  teeth,  and  another 
turned  somersaults  with  his  load  as  easily  as  if  it  had 
been  a  feather. 

While  we  watched,  a  gong  sounded  for  the  wrestling. 


The  Open  Gate  349 

A  ring  twelve  feet  in  diameter  was  laid  out  near  the 
treaty-house,  and  divans  reserved  for  the  Commodore 
and  his  suite.  The  bands  blared  joyously  as  with 
characteristic  Oriental  ceremony  we  were  conducted 
to  our  seats. 

On  a  signal  from  the  herald,  Driving  Wind  and 
Tajikarao  lumber  clumsily  into  the  ring.  They  ad- 
vance slowly  toward  each  other  stamping  their  feet 
and  clapping  their  powerful  thighs,  then  stooping  to 
the  ground  they  grasp  handf  uls  of  sand  which  they  toss 
over  their  monstrous  shoulders. 

For  a  while  they  crouch  glaring  at  one  another  like 
two  wild  beasts  about  to  spring. 

The  umpire  hovers  about,  watching  till  the  com- 
batants draw  breath  at  the  same  time,  then  suddenly 
clicks  his  fan ! 

They  hurl  themselves  against  each  other  like  tigers 
springing  on  their  prey!  They  grip  their  brawny  arms 
in  desperate  tussle.  Glistening  with  sweat  their  sinews 
stand  out  like  the  knotted  muscles  of  some  sculptured 
Hercules.  Their  faces  grow  livid.  Their  monstrous 
bodies  strain  and  heave! 

Each  of  forty  famous  throws  they  try  by  turns. 
The  umpire  darts  here  and  there  scanning  each  com- 
batant for  a  sign  of  victory. 

At  last,  with  a  supreme  effort,  Driving  Wind  lifted 
his  antagonist  and  pinned  him  violently  to  the  ground ! 

A  frenzied  yell  burst  from  the  Japanese.     Mad  with 


350  Old  Japan 

delight  they  threw  coins,  hats,  and  coats,  their  own  or 
their  neighbours,  indiscriminately  into  the  ring ! 

The  victor  was  conducted  to  the  Commodore  that  he 
might  admire  his  brawny  limbs. 

He  grasped  the  massive  arms  and  ran  his  hand  over 
the  thick,  bull-like  neck. 

Suddenly  Driving  Wind  snatched  a  knife  from 
his  loin-cloth  and  brandished  it  in  the  air! 

The  Commodore  eyed  him  unflinchingly. 

The  wrestler  wavered  an  instant  then  struck! 

With  a  sudden  bound  I  leapt  between  and  caught  his 
wrist.  He  writhed  and  squirmed,  striving  to  free  his 
hand  from  my  relentless  grip. 

Slowly  but  steadily  I  bent  his  wrist  backward, 
then,  with  a  quick  wrench,  bore  his  arm,  elbow  down- 
ward, over  my  shoulder! 

It  was  a  well-known  trick  of  jujutsu.  The  bone 
snapped;  the  knife  fell  from  his  weakened  grasp  and 
clanged  upon  the  floor! 

Before  he  could  recover,  a  band  of  Jackies  rushed 
upon  him,  overpowered  the  dumbfounded  champion, 
and  put  him  in  irons. 

The  Commodore  gripped  my  hand: 

"Come  with  me,"  he  smiled,  "and  enjoy  the  fruit 
of  your  labours!"  and  we  hastened  to  the  Treaty 
House. 

I  spare  you  the  solemn  ceremonial.  Suffice  it  to 
say  that  it  was  a  complete  triumph.  Gravely  as  be- 


The  Open  Gate  351 

fitted  their  sense  of  responsibility,  the  representatives 
of  the  two  governments  affixed  their  signatures. 

Banzais  rent  the  air!  Strains  of  patriotic  music 
broke  from  the  ships'  bands!  My  eyes  dimmed  with 
joyous  tears  as  I  read  the  President's  prophetic  words: 

"There  shall  be  a  perfect,  permanent,  and  universal 
peace,  and  a  sincere  and  cordial  amity  between  the 
United  States  of  America  and  the  Empire  of  Japan!" 

Without  You 

The  cherry-blossoms  call  you.     Far  and  near 
They  shed  their  snowy  petals  in  the  light 
Like  flakes  of  flame!     The  first  frail  lotus  white 
From  timid  lids  like  frightened  children  peer, 
In  thickets  lush  the  iris  lifts  its  spear 
And  wings  its  purple  plumes  in  mimic  flight. 
The  air  is  rife  with  rumours  of  delight 
And  myriad  rustlings  murmurous  and  clear! 

And  yet  'tis  winter  still  without  you  here — 
Without  your  love  to  light  the  ceaseless  gloom. 
Spring's  wonted  flowers  for  me  no  longer  bloom, 
Beneath  the  leafless  bough  no  birds  do  sing. 
The  night  is  void.     The  day  is  bleak  and  drear 
Else  thou  art  nigh,  my  sunshine  and  my  spring. 

Spring  was  here;  my  task  was  completed;  the  game 
was  won!  But  my  heart  was  chill  with  apprehension. 

At  last  I  was  conscious  of  the  spell  that  bound  me  to 
Japan.  Not  the  zest  of  adventure  or  hope  of  petty 
reward.  The  awakening  of  a  sleeping  nation  to  its 


352  Old  Japan 

world-wide  life  was  but  a  pretext  for  the  great  adven- 
ture— the  quest  of  O  Setsu  San! 

A  heavy  hand  fell  upon  my  shoulder,  and,  turning,  I 
looked  into  the  cold,  impassive  face  of  Satsuma. 

"Hazard  Sama, "  he  muttered.  "You  are  here- 
by summoned  to  appear  instantly  before  the 
Emperor!" 

I  repressed  a  shudder  as  I  realized  that  this  was  but  a 
courteous  announcement  of  arrest.  Well  I  knew  the 
crime  for  which  they  would  indict  me,  conspiracy 
with  the  Shogun  against  the  ancient  laws — the  penalty 
—death! 

As  I  knelt  before  the  Mikado,  his  face  inscrutable  as 
the  Daibutsu,  hope  faded  from  my  heart. 

"Reckless  Tojin,"  he  stormed,  "why  did  you  not 
return  to  your  own  country  while  there  was  yet 
time?" 

"Because,  your  Majesty,  I  wish  to  make  Japan  my 
home."  I  stammered  clumsily. 

"Are  you  aware,  Hazard  Sama,  that  I  heard  every 
word  you  spake  in  the  council  of  daimios?" 

"Possibly,  your  Majesty,  but  by  what  means  passes 
my  comprehension. " 

A  faint  smile  fluttered  the  thin  moustache. 

"Most  simple,"  he  shrugged.  "I  was  seated  with 
the  Shogun  behind  the  screen.  That  you  undertook 
this  task  without  my  Imperial  sanction,  ignoring  me 


The  Open  Gate  353 

as  a  powerless  puppet,  is  an  affront  punishable  with 
death!" 

"Death!"  I  gasped,  falling  upon  my  knees  in  silent 
appeal. 

Bidding  me  rise  he  conducted  me  to  the  adjoining 
chamber. 

"Fool,"  he  laughed,  "behold  your  fate!" 

In  the  shadow,  white  and  trembling,  stood  0  Setsu 
San,  holding  a  sealed  scroll. 

"Read!"  she  cried  anxiously. 

Breaking  the  seal,  I  read: 

IMPERIAL  PALACE,  KYOTO, 
May  30,  1854. 

The  will  of  the  Mikado  is  that  the  criminal,  having 
embroiled  himself  in  a  conspiracy,  be  exiled  to  the  Island 
of  Perpetual  Youth,  in  life  imprisonment  with  his  co- 
conspirator  O  Setsu  no  Satsuma. 

Komei,  Tenno. 

A  sudden  smile  shot  across  her  face. 

"Sprite!"  I  laughed,  kissing  her  peach-blow  cheek 
and  cherry  mouth. 

She  trembled  unresisting  in  my  arms. 

"You  lig  some  great  god,"  she  whispered,  "so  white 
and  beeg  and  brave.  Yaes,  you  mos'  bes'  beautiful 
Barbarian  Debbie  in  all  worl' !" 

"Dearest,"  I  faltered,  "the  moment  you  risked 
your  life  to  give  me  shelter,  I  loved  you  body  and  soul. 
Tell  me  you  care  for  me  a  little!" 


354  Old  Japan 

"No,"  she  flashed;  "I  don'  loaf  you  liddle  bit.  I 
loaf  you  beeg  tarrible  lot.  Say,  you  gon'  many  with 
me?  Stay  Japan  for  aever  and  aever?" 

"Forever,"  I  echoed,  clasping  her  to  my  heart. 

She  laughed  abandonedly. 

"Banzai,  Banzai!"  she  cried,  clapping  her  hands,  "I 
mos'  happy  female-woman  in  all  Japan — in  whole,  wide 
worl'!" 


"  The  pendent  clusters  of  wistaria  droop 
Their  purple  tassels  o'er  the  tranquil  lake  " 


Rainbow  Bridge  at  Kameido 

Copyiight  by  Underwood  &  Underwood,  N.  Y. 


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CHAPTER  XII 

A  MODERN  SAMURAI 

PRELUDE 
THE  CHILDREN'S  ISLE 

Satin  sails  in  a  crimson  dawn 

Over  the  silky,  silver  sea. 
Purple  veils  of  the  dark  withdrawn; 

Heavens  of  pearl  and  porphyry; 
Purple  and  white  in  the  morning  light 

Over  the  water  the  town  we  knew, 
In  tiny  state,  like  a  willow  plate 

Shone,  and  behind  it  the  hills  were  blue. 

There,  we  remembered,  the  shadows  pass 

All  day  long  like  dreams  in  the  night, 
There  in  the  meadows  of  dim  blue  grass 

Crimson  daisies  are  ringed  with  white, 
There  the  roses  flutter  their  petals, 

Over  the  meadows  they  take  their  flight, 
There  the  moth  that  sleepily  settles 

Turns  to  a  flower  in  warm  soft  light. 

There  when  the  sunset  colours  the  streets 
Everyone  buys  at  wonderful  stalls 

Toys  and  chocolates,  guns  and  sweets, 
Ivory  pistols  and  Persian  shawls; 
355 


356  Old  Japan 

Everyone's  pockets  are  crammed  with  gold ; 

Nobody's  heart  is  torn  with  care, 
Nobody  ever  grows  tired  and  old, 

And  nobody  calls  you  baby  there. 


There  with  a  hat  like  a  round  white  dish, 

Upside  down  on  each  pig-tailed  head, 
Jugglers  offer  you  snakes  and  fish, 

Dreams  and  dragons  and  ginger-bread, 
Beautiful  books  with  marvellous  pictures, — 

Painted  pirates  and  streaming  gore 
And  everyone  reads  without  any  strictures 

Tales  he  remembers  forevermore. 

There  when  the  dim  blue  daylight  lingers 

Listening,  and  the  West  grows  holy, 
Singers  crouch  with  their  long  white  fingers 

Floating  over  the  zithern  slowly; 
Paper  lamps  with  a  peachy  bloom 

Burn  above  on  the  dim  blue  bough, 
While  the  zitherns  gild  the  gloom 

With  curious  music!  I  hear  it  now. 

The  Flower  of  Old  Japan. 

ALFRED  NOYES. 


was  making  holiday. 

His  student  life  was  over.    An  unknown  world 
loomed  before  him.    Just  for  today  he  would  be  a  boy. 
He  strolled  through  the  Kameido  rejoicing  in  the 
motley  amusements  of  the  children's  f£te.    He  bought 
a  penny  whistle  and  added  his  quota  to  the  universal 


A  Modern  Samurai  357 

hubbub.  He  watched  jugglers  and  wrestlers,  fed 
monkeys,  and  played  with  the  children. 

Then,  wearying  of  the  crowd,  he  wandered  to  the 
lake. 

A  maiden  stood  on  the  Rainbow  Bridge  gazing  idly 
at  the  gold-fish  as  they  darted  like  flying  flames  through 
the  darkling  water.  Pendent,  purple  tassels  of  wistaria 
framed  her  lithe  figure,  robed  in  a  kimono  of  dove-grey 
crepe. 

In  the  butterfly  loops  of  her  blue-black  hair  nestled 
a  spray  of  cherry  bloom. 

Okama  smiled ;  never  had  he  seen  a  more  enchanting 
creature.  Approaching  the  maid  with  quiet  courtesy 
he  offered  her  a  handful  of  mochi  (rice  cakes). 

"Fairest  of  maids  art  thou, "  he  murmured,  "as 
Kameido  is  the  queen  of  parks." 

The  girl  laughed  a  rill  of  silver  and  tossed  a  mochi 
to  the  carp. 

"Fairer  than  ever  it  seems,"  he  sighed,"  now  that  I 
am  about  to  leave  for  many  years. " 

"You  gon'  ver',  ver'  far?  "  she  asked  with  ill-concealed 
solicitude. 

"To  America,"  he  frowned  moodily. 

"'Merica!"  she  cried.  "Way  down  bottom  of 
worl'!" 

"Why  do  you  persist  in  looking  down?"  he  com- 
plained. 

The  maiden  gave  no  answer. 


358  Old  Japan 

Then,  pointing  to  the  water  he  smiled:  "I  like  it 
better  now. " 

"Why?"  she  asked  naively. 

"Because  I  see  you  down  there  in  America  with  me. 
That  is  a  good  omen.     I  will  go. " 

"Better  liddle  snail  an  crawl  roun*  worl',  as  stay  for 
aever  mossy  tile  on  house  top ! "  she  babbled,  paraphras- 
ing an  ancient  proverb. 

"The  snail  will  crawl  till  it  reaches  the  goal!"  he 
said  firmly. 

"Then  liddle  snail  skip  back  to  Sakura  San?"  she 
queried  wistfully. 

"Yes,  Cherry  Blossom,"  he  laughed,  "I  shall  come 
from  the  bottom  of  the  world. " 

"I  gon'  wait,"  she  smiled.  "I  gon'  wait  for  you 
all  my  million  lives,  Sayonara,  Honourable-Husband- 
to-be,"  and  tossing  a  mochi  to  the  carp  she  pattered 
down  the  rainbow  archway. 

Sayonara  (Good-bye) 

The  creaking  windlass  slacks  its  rattling  chain, 
And  raucous  voices  of  the  swart-skinned  crew 
Are  stilled  as  shrill  the  farewell  whistle  blew, 

The  broad-beamed  scows,  which  from  the  distant  plain 

Brought  endless  tubs  of  sake  melt  in  rain; 
The  engine's  throb  and  ever-whirling  screw, 
Churning  to  foam  the  sea's  unruffled  blue 

All  fill  me  with  a  sense  of  loneliness  and  pain. 


A  Modern  Samurai  359 

For  I  am  off  to  ceaseless  toil  and  strife 
In  that  far  land  'neath  the  horizon's  rim, 

And  may  not  know  again  for  many  years 
The  glamour  of  my  joyous,  child-like  life, 

And,  as  the  town-lights  glimmer,  vague  and  dim, 
I  am  not  sure  if  'tis  through  mist  or  tears. 


TOPSY-TURVY  LOVE-LETTERS 

The  Alien 

Only  a  little,  smiling  Japanese, 

Though  kingly  blood  is  flowing  in  my  veins. 
Dishonoured  here,  my  forebears  o'er  the  seas, 

With  their  twin  swords,  washed  out  dishonour's  stains. 
Only  a  little,  smiling  Japanese. 

Only  a  little,  alien  Japanese, 

No  suffrage  may  I  claim,  howe'er  I  choose 
To  toil  and  take  the  starving  wage  you  please. 

What  have  I  done,  the  guerdon  meet  to  lose? 
Only  a  little  alien  Japanese. 

Only  "a  little,  yellow  Japanese!" 

The  scum  of  Europe  throng  your  fetid  streets. 
And  fester  here  in  filth  and  dread  disease. 

My  race,  though  white,  scorn  and  injustice  meets, 
Only  "a  little,  yellow  Japanese!" 

Only  a  little  smiling  Japanese, 
In  silence  stifling  my  indignities, 


360  Old  Japan 

And  blithe  at  heart  as  are  the  busy  bees; 
But  in  the  years  that  soon  will  come,  mayhap, 
You'll  change  your  mind  about  the  little  Jap. 


SAN  FRANCISCO* 
March  15,  1863. 


SWEET-HEARTED-ESTEEMED   MlSS : " 


Please  excuse  honourable  English.  I  write  it  so  your 
august  parents  not  make  spyings  at  our  affections. 

Ah!  it  is  not  without  symbolism  that  Uniteds  State  is 
situate  on  bottom  side  of  earth.  All  Merican  moralities  are 
likewise  down-side  up. 

On  the  yesterday  I  behold  honourable  Samurai  at  parting 
of  wife  subject  her  to  revolting  kiss-ceremony !  You  imagine 
not  such  disgustingness. 

The  participapers  place  their  mouths  shamelessly  in  con- 
junction, then  explode  breath  noisomely  as  child's  orange- 
juice-sucking! 

Merican  female-ladies  is  most  frightsome. 

I  make  boldness  to  address  one  in  hotel,  cigarette-stalk- 
selling.  Her  hair  is  a  redness  of  demons.  Her  eyes  a 
monstrousness  of  cow.  She  masticate  ceaseless  sweet- 
meat I  have  vainsome  endeavour  for  eat.  But  it  is  im- 
mortal as  gods,  refusing  to  perish  under  tooths  or  digestum. 
Her  name  is  Mees  Maud. 

"Flower  names  Japanese  female  prefer."     I  explain. 

"Chambermaid-lady  possess  pure,  spotness  name  Lily," 
she  but  in  dispolitely. 

This  I  uncover  is  most  surprise,  for  Lily  is  African 
female  of  midnightness  complexion! 

More  I  see  of  Merican  female-women  more  I  am  en- 
amelled of  you.  Everywhere  I  go  in  solitary  like  off-cast 
rose.  My  liver  leap  with  disgust  and  I  make  tear-droppings 
from  eye  like  Pacific  Ocean. 


A  Modern  Samurai  361 

My  fortunes  are  at  height  of  lowness,  and  rain  pour 
through  hat  I  stole  from  scare-crow. 
Hoping  that  you  are  the  same. 

Your  faithless,  insignificance  servant 

ITAHASHI  OKAMA. 
P.  D.  Q. 
I  disclose  poem  I  decompose  for  you. 

Disgust 

At  the  midnighty — all  by  loneness  only  God  and  self, 
In  beastful  slumber  snores  the  universe. 
Palpitating  on  lonesome  couch,  like  ship  on  ocean, 
Besat  by  boneless  winds  of  black  disgust, 
With  sleepness  eye  and  wild  wide-opened  soul, 
I  contemplate  the  memories  of  bygone  in  light  of  ink 
Until,  alas,  the  voice  of  winds  erupt  about  my  dwelling: 
God  made  the  midnighty  for  dream  of  lonesome  love. 

Oh!  delicious  pain  of  love! 

Flit  in  by  bursted  window  with  Lady  Moon  welcome! 

Ever  a  genteel  violet  upgaze  her  damp  blue  eye. 

Ever  a  reddy  rose  manicure  thorn  against  window-pane, 

Alas!  such  bright  sun-blossoms  not  for  cast-off  Jap  boy! 

I  have  such  of  none  hope  not  at  all. 

Only  a  withered,  black,  night-coloured  soul!1 

TOKIO,  May  30,  1863. 

MOST  RESPECTABLE  SIR: 

How  true  the  proverb  that  "heart  of  man  changes  more 
swiftness  as  autumn  sky. " 

How  can  you  be  so  crule  to  make  forgiddings  your  love- 

1  Transcribed  from  English  as  she  is  Japped,  by  Basil  Hall  Cham- 
berlain. 


362  Old  Japan 

some  Cherry  Blossom  for  those  big,  bad  Barbarian-female- 
women. 

I  am  submerged  in  sorrowful  of  your  unkindsomeness. 

I  make  studyings  in  Honourable  Children's-Noise-Mak- 
ing-Place;  (Kindergarten)  and  am  learn  Merican  Battle 
Hymn  Star-Spangled  Banner  and  Columbia  Jam  of  the 
Ocean. 

Now  is  that  springtime.  Littel  birds  is  songing  and 
flowers  is  smiling  bright  perfumery  at  blue  heavens.  Pretty 
soonly  I  go  Kameido-bridge-roaming  enjoy  delightsome  sor- 
rowful thought  of  you.  Ah !  dear  Okama,  moon  is  shining 
through  shoji.  I  think  of  old-fashion-by-gone  sing-song: 

"The  sky  is  sea 
Where  cloud  waves  sway. 
The  moon  is  boat 
On  sky  afloat. 
To  stars  so  free 
It  sail  away.     • 

"Would  I  on  sea, 
Like  moon  in  sky, 
Might  float  like  boat 
To  stars  and  thy!" 

Yours  lonesomely 
CHERRY  BLOSSOM. 

SAN  FRANCISCO, 
January  I,  1864. 

HONOURABLE  SAKURA  SAN, 

DELICIOUS  Miss: 

I  have  honour  to  denounce  through  influenza  of  Mees 
Maud  I  have  secure  desireful  position  whereat  I  support  self 
by  same  time  I  make  night-school-studyings.  I  am 
honourable-assistance-barber  to  Italian  samurai  Christofo- 
Colombo-Santa-Maria-Garibaldi ! 


A  Modern  Samurai  363 

When  in  gratesomeness  I  demean  myself  to  make  Merican 
kiss-ceremony  by  Mees  Maud  she  say : 

"Cut  mush  stuff,  Kid.  Crissy  C'lumbo  give  you  biff  in 
slats.  He's  my  steady.  See?" 

Wherefor  I  make  observation  moralities  of  Merican 
female-lady  more  great  than  I  imagination. 

My  most  best  cuspidor  is  corpulent  daimio  I  have 
honour  to  make  shampooing  and  ice-towels  when  he  out- 
comes steam-bath  in  alcoholler  status,  with  brain-ache  of 
great  frightfulness. 

His  name  is  George  Washingtown  Steal.  When  I  re- 
quire: "Can  do  deeds  of  Washtown?"  he  explode: 

"Can  do  what  George  Washingtown  could  never.  Can 
tell  lie.  By  those  doings  I  am  become  Congreaseman. " 

"Will  take  me  to  Washtown  for  study  politic  ecomics, 
so  I  becoming  Barbarian  diplomat?"  I  require  with  eye- 
wink. 

"Perhapsly,"  he  response,  his  corpulency  shaking  like 
Tokio  earth-quake. 

Hoping  you  suffer  good  healthy,  and  likesome  Honour- 
able Ancestors, ; 

I  remaining, 

Yours  respectably, 

ITAHASHI  OKAMA. 

P.  D.  Q. 

I  disclose  poetical-spasms  in  praise  of  sufferingents, 
because  I  have  brain-storm. 

"O  ladies,  during  idle  moments 
Inclined  to  make  coyness  with  giggly  expression 
Yet  when  sick-sorrow-time  of  brain-ache  come  along 
You  are  very  skilful  about  being  an  angel. " 

HASHIMURA-TOGO 
(WALLACE  IRWIN). 


364  Old  Japan 

Female-  Woman 

The  coldest  ice,  the  hottest  heat 

Are  Female- Woman's  power  on  earth; 
Sinz  Eve  did  Adam's  appel  eat 

And  make  a  pair-a-dice  his  place  of  birth. 
For  where?    For  why?    Can  thou  tell  me? 

For  what  did  Nature'destine  you? 
Cement  of  Nations,  Sphinxly  mystery! 

To  bound  man's  hart  with  loving  social  glue! 

If  thou  be  move  from  erth,  Good-by! 

What  dark  disgust  oerhelm  the  human  flocks! 
Then  who  to  populous?    Or  make  reply? 

Or.  diner  cook?    Or  darn  the  holy  sox? 
How  sweet,  how  useless,  full  of  mirth! 
What  boon-thing  can  exceed  on  erth? 

Man's  blessing  and  his  oftenest  curse, 

His  chest-protector  and  his  cross-red-nurse.1 

TOKIO,  May  20,  1864. 

HONOURABLE  DEAR  MISTER: 

I  am  sorrowful  to  learn  you  make  shameless  Merican 
female-woman-kees-ceremony.  If  you  don  lig'  your  little 
Sakura  San  no  more,  then  I  marry  beeg  Hairy  Barbarian 
Russian,  Vasiline  Villanoff. 

Ha!  Ha!  Ha!  laughing  inside  self  he  so  diriculous,  look 
like  great  beeg  ape. 

I  sending  you  by  Merican  Maru  one  liddle  present  hoping 
will  be  sprize.  Now  you  wonder  what  those  are? 

Somethings  I  uncover  in  curious  shop:  your  honourable 
Samurai  Sword!  How  I  pay?  Liddle,  significant  pearl 
from  neck-lacings. 

1  Transcribed  from  Things  Japanese  by  B.  H.  Chamberlain. 


A  Modern  Samurai  365 

What  you  thing?  Beeg  Hairy  Villanoff  he  sneak  in 
shop,  see  me  buy  that  sprize  for  you.  Dirty  Russian 
Spy!  He  threatnings  to  told  Honourable  Fadder  less  I 
make  Barbarian  kees-ceremony.  I  not  like  him  told,  so  I 
suffer  those  noisome  lip-suckings. 

Hoping  you  eggscuze  me  so  terrible  misdoing. 

Yours  very  obedient  truly 
CHERRY  BLOSSOM. 

R.  S.  V.  P. 

'  Here  is  love-song  I  tie  to  plum-tree  on  poem-writings-day, 
hoping  kindsome  dragon-fly  carry  to  you. 

"When  I  recall  to  memory 

Those  days  before  we  met, 
How  disgustfull  they  seem  to  me 
And  full  of  long  regret 
"Tis  though  I  not  had  bloomed  ere  yet 
I  first  met  love  and  thee!" 

CHERRY  BLOSSOM. 


II 

THE  QUEST  OF  THE  GOLDEN  SCALE 

Darsuka  was  a  ronin  brave 

And  he  loved  Eikibo  fair, 
A  geisha,  light  as  a  foam-flowered  wave, 

Demure  and  debonair. 

He  wooed  the  maid  with  passion  bold, 

As  a  reckless  ronin  can, 
But  she  only  laughed,  a  laugh  of  gold, 

And  clicked  her  painted  fan. 


366  Old  Japan 

"Your  vows  are  vain  as  the  fleeting  dew, 

Or  the  fickle  butterfly, 
That  steals  a  sip  from  the  lotus  blue, 

Then  wings  to  the  summer  sky. " 

"Nay,  Sweet,"  he  cried,  "to  prove  my  love 

I  will  plunge  for  the  pearls  of  sea, 
Or  soar  the  sky  to  the  stars  above 

And  steal  the  moon  for  thee!" 

The  geisha  laughed:  "'Twill  naught  avail, 

Unless  you  bring  as  proof, 
A  golden  scale  from  the  dolphin's  tail 

On  the  ridge  of  the  castle  roof. 

"Then  bring  the  scale  and  I  will  know 

Your  heart  both  true  and  brave! 
Farewell,  my  friend,  I  now  must  go 

To  my  dance  of  the  foam-flowered  wave. " 

So  the  ronin  bold  made  a  giant  kite, 

Like  a  monstrous  winged-whale, 
And  he  soared  the  sky  one  stormy  night 

And  he  sundered  the  golden  scale, 
With  a  single  stroke  of  his  dagger  bright, 

From  the  golden  dolphin's  tail! 

But  he  dropped  the  scale  with  a  sudden  scream, 
Through  a  rift  in  the  wrack  of  night, 

The  moon  shone  forth  with  a  silver  gleam 
And  revealed  the  ronin's  kite! 

Darsuka,  seized  by  the  castle  band, 
Was  condemned  by  the  daimio's  word; 

And  he  fearless  sheathed,  with  his  own  right  hand, 
In  his  loins,  his  naked  sword! 


e-  "3 

o  o 


60 
.tt 


A  Modern  Samurai  367 

The  geisha  whirled  no  more,  we're  told, 
Her  waltz  of  the  foam-flowered  wave ; 

For  they  found  her,  stabbed  with  a  scale  of  gold, 
On  the  reckless  ronin's  grave! 

A  little  fishing  village  hugs  the  rocky  shore,  its 
straw-thatched  cottages  shouldering  each  other  into  the 
sea.  Upon  the  beach  on  slender  bamboo  poles  the 
tattered  nets  are  spread  to  dry.  In  the  offing  floats 
a  fleet  of  fishing  junks,  their  great  square  sails  of  open- 
seamed  matting  billowing  in  the  breeze. 

From  the  latticed  bulwarks  blue-bloused  fishers, 
singing  at  their  task,  haul  up  the  dripping  nets 
while  the  helmsman  beats  time  with  a  mallet  to  their 
mournful  drone. 

Behind  a  pine-fringed  promontory  a  bevy  of  laughing 
pearl-maidens  sport  in  the  bright  lagoon. 

The  light  glints  from  their  sun-bronzed  bodies  as  they 
glide  like  mermaids  through  the  jade-green  waters.  ; 

Suddenly  the  raucous  chug-chug  of  a  motor-launch 
breaks  the  stillness  and  they  scatter  like  frightened 
dolphins  pursued  by  a  greedy  shark. 

"What  a  chorus  for  the  Rhinegold!"  laughed  a  big, 
blond  Russian  as  the  startled  maidens  scampered  to 
covert. 

"I  camp  right  here,"  he  commanded,  beaching  the 
launch;  then  crashed  into  the  undergrowth  in  pursuit 
of  Lotus,  fairest  of  the  pearl-maidens. 

Fleet  as  a  fawn  she  darted  through  bog  and  bracken, 


368  Old  Japan 

doubling  on  her  tracks  in  frantic  effort  to  reach  the  sea. 
But  with  every  step  the  amorous  Viking  gained  upon  his 
gentle  quarry. 

Breathless  with  the  chase  and  faint  with  exhaustion 
the  trembling  girl  tripped  and  fell. 

He  caught  her  in  his  arms  and  kissed  her  roughly. 

The  maid  went  white  and  buried  her  face  in  her 
hands;  then,  wriggling  like  a  serpent,  struggled 
free. 

"Listen  little  Devil,"  laughed  the  Russian,  "I  am 
Master  here  and  you  are  going  to  be  Mistress  of  the 
Master!" 

"That  all  same  big  Barbarian's  wife?"  she  queried 
dubiously. 

"H'm,  precisely,  precisely,"  he  nodded. 

"You  promise  faithless  drink  those  three  times  three 
sake-cups  with  me?" 

"Many  more  than  that,  my  little  Rhine  maiden, "  he 
protested  vehemently. 

"What  you  do  for  me  supposings  I  marry  with  you? 
You  gon'  climb  topside  Nagoya  Castle  steal  those  goldy- 
dolphin  fish,  all  same  Darsuka  do  for  geisha-girl? 
Yaes?" 

"Certainly,"  he  promised,  "I'll  climb  the  sky  and 
steal  the  moon  for  you. " 

"Yaes,  thass  what  Darsuka  say.  Then  he  make  his- 
self  honourable-killing,  for  cause  those  dance-foam- 
flower-wave.  You  so  brave  fool,  love  me  lig  all  those?  " 


A  Modern  Samurai  369 

Villanoff  crushed  her  in  his  powerful  arms,  and  kissed 
her  long  upon  the  lips. 

"Oh,  how  those  is  nize!"  she  laughed.  "I  naever 
'magine  Barbarian  kees-ceremony  half  so  sweet!" 

Ill 

MORE  TOPSY-TURVY  LOVE-LETTERS 

COLUMBIA  ADVERSITY, 
NEW  YORK,  Sept.  21,  1864. 

LADY  OF  SPRING-FRUITS  BLOSSOM, 

ESTEAMED  MADAM: 

Those  samurai  sword  I  sold  for  steamer  ticket  is  come. 
I  thankings  you  from  bottom  heart;  but  thing  mebby  if  you 
not  faithfulness  I  make  honourable  seppuku,  then  come  back 
do  same  to  sinful  Russian! 

What  you  spose?  Most  unpossible  wonderfully  thing  is 
happen.  Honourable  Congreaseman  Steal  is  send  me  to 
Merican  Adversity. 

Here  I  educate  in  Politic  Ecomics  and  Denaturalized 
Law,  and  by  same  time  require  difficult  art  of  tripe-writer, 
a  musical  instruments  that  makes  letter-printings. 

I  hope,  by  virtuous  of  this  scarce  accomplishments,  to 
require  some  high  financials. 

I  have  misfortunate  obsequies  in  examinations. 
-  Inspectorator  say  must  speak  fluidly  two  dead  languages 
and  two  living  tongues. 
I  expectorate: 

I.  Japanese,  Living.  2.  Chinese,  Dead. 

3.  Dead  Chinese.  4.  Living  Japanese. 

But  those  species-of-fictions  not  satisfaction.  Then  I 
make  substitutings: 

i.  Living  Japanese.  2.  Dead  Chinese. 

3.  English,  Living.  4.  Dutch,  Dead. 


370  Old  Japan 

Then  Honourable  Inspectorator  entirely  satisfaction. 

I  have  join  following  Associations: 
Society  for  Preservation  of  Cruelty  to  Animals. 
Consolidated  Jap-American  Native  Sons. 
Young  Men's  Intemperance  Union.   •: 
Hoping  you  are  the  same 

Your  humble  servant 

I.  OKAMA. 

P.  D.  Q. 

Enclose  please  find  photographer  I  have  executed  for  you. 
Maybe  you  not  reconize  for  disguise  of  Derby  hat  and  Mer- 
ican  mustache.  How  you  like? 

Please  excuse  following  philosophical  spasm,  I  decompose 
for  Society  of  Idiotic  Transactions: 


Immense  Awful  Mystery  of  Life 

j 

"A  littel  learning  are  most  dangerously!" 

Like  sightless  beggars  groping  in  the  dusk, 

One  blind-man  feels  the  elefantys  tusk: 

"'Tis  like  sharp  sword!"  he  glote  with  glueish  glee, 

Another  feel  his  side:  "A  wall!"  cry  he. 

A  third  his  trunk  embrace:  "A  sarpint  dread! " 

A  forth  his  tale:  "All  same  a  rope!"  he  said, 

The  last  his  legs:  "  'Tis  some  great-gnarly-tree!" 


Thus  each  a  portion  feels,  nor  heeds  the  whole, 
Swareing  his  fellow  lie,  like  blind-mans  we 
But  feel  one  symblem  those  black  mystery 
Of  elef antine  bulk  men  name-sake  Life ! 
Blind-bluffing-blind !  in  game  of  infant  strife 
We  make  a  Buddha  minus  only — Soul ! 


A  Modern  Samurai  371 

SHIMONOSEKI, 
December  15,  1868. 

DEAR  MISTER  FOOLISHNESS: 

I  thing  you  not  nize  make  scoldings  at  your  loving  Cherry 
Blossom. 

Hairy  Vasiline  Villanoff  he  not  nothings  to  me.  He  only 
Honourable  Fadder's  fren;  sold  him  ole  fashion  useless  guns 
for  fortifications. 

Now  he  gone  Pearl-fisherings.  That  make  me  ver',  ver' 
happiness,  cause  for  I  see  him  naever  more. 

What  you  thing?  One  ver'  dreadful,  tarrible  thing  is 
happen.  Honourable  Shogun  make  rebellion  on  Heaven- 
descended  Emperor,  same  time  Honourable  Fadder  make 
shootings  on  Merican  sail- junks  and  star-spangled  banner! 

Pretty  soonly  dreadsome  Tojins  come  back,  beeg,  black 
volcano  war- junks  bust  Shimonoseki  thousand  million 
pieces.  All  beautiful  city  burn  blazes. 

I  plore  you  stop  those  frightsomeness,  make  those  Meri- 
can Eagle  fold  his  wings  like  Peace  Dove  and  lie  in  lap  of 
Japanese  Dragon. 

I  so  happiness  you  not  here,  for  cause  you  Hairy  Barbar- 
ian mustache  mebby  Honourable  Fadder  keel  you. 

Yours  frightfully 

CHERRY  BLOSSOM. 
R.  S.  V.  P. 

I  have  join  Honourable  Ladies  Suffering-gents,  on  account 
of  down-troddy  condition  Japanese  female  women. 

WASHINGTON, 
July,  1869. 

FLOWER-BRIDE,  THAT  MAY  SOMETIME  BE: 

I  very  much  sorry  your  august  Father  shoot  on  Uniteds 
State  ship.  Mexicans  are  very  indignation. 

Now  I  make  hurryings  to  Washington  fix  up  that 
Shimonoseki-shootings . 


372  Old  Japan 

What  you  spose?  Congreaseman  Steal  take  me  for  be 
Private  Secretary. 

Pretty  soonly  he  demand  instructions  Japanese  Politics 
Ecomics.  Wherefore  I  write  honourable  speech  for  him. 

But  I  horrify  see  he  falsify  those  fact  to  prejucate  gainst 
Japan. 

So  I  borrow  secretly  Honourable  Steal's  frockaway  coat- 
unicorn,  make  ceremonial-tea  in  White  Palace  with  august 
heaven-descended  President  Useless  S.  Grant! 

I  tell  him  how  your  Honourable  Father  is  persuade  to 
emboil  himself  by  sinful  Russian. 

Heaven-descended  President  make  chewings  on  big 
cigar  long  time,  then  promise  remit  those  $700,000  in- 
demnity. Now  your  august  Father  not  be  ruin  in  his 
financials. 

I  so  happiness  I  make  honourable  beer-ceremony  with 
scorched  dog-biscuit  and  camel's-hair  cheese. 

But  next  morning  Congreasman  Steal  denounce: 

"Jap-Boy!  Your  honourable  attentions  is  no  longer 
desire,  you  are  permit  to  skedaddle.  23.  Fare  bye  forever !" 

I  experience  by-gone  proverb: 

"Mouth  is  front-gate  all  misfortune." 

Hoping  you  are  the  same  through  eight  thousand 
million  carnations. 

YOUR  OKAMA. 
P.  D.  Q. 

Through  window  glows  dawn-blush-sunbeam,  I  make 
remembrance  your  pink  cheeks  and  old  fashion 

Japanese  Love  Song 

Tadzune"tsura, 
Hana  ka  tote"  koso, 
Hi  wo  kurase" 
Akinu  ni  otori 
Akane*  sasura  su. 


A  Modern  Samurai  373 

"Flower  One  why,  fore  wedding  day 
Glows  those  dawn-blush  ere  the  hour? 
Can  it  be,  Sweet,  tell  me  pray, 
Thou  does  love  me,  Flower?" 

IV 
"DEBBLE" 

Vj 

The  Ferry 

Crossing  the  ferry  o'er  Sumida's  tide 
I  met  one  day  a  lad  of  gentle  mien, 
More  fair  than  any  youth  I  e'er  had  seen, 

Who  wooed  me  tenderly  to  be  his  bride. 

Wherefore  I  chided  not,  nor  sought  delay, 

But  yielded  to  his  fond  solicitude; 
And  we  were  wed  upon  that  very  day 

And  drank  the  nuptial  sake"  sweet  and  good. 
Since  when  more  dear  than  life  he  seems  to  me, 
Now  that  my  brooding  doubts  have  passed  away, 
My  heart  is  clear  as  swift  Sumida's  flood. 

Like  two  Miyako  birds  we  never  part, 
But  while  with  flying  wing  the  fleeting  hours, 

Content  with  little  wealth,  but  rich  of  heart, 
Heedless  of  harm,  like  ever-blooming  flowers. 

But  more  than  wealth  or  treasure  is  the  joy, 
Dearer  than  cherry-bloom,  the  bliss  I  know 
To  dwell  forever  with  my  blond-haired  boy 

Until  we  reach  the  shore  of  silver  hair. 
Heaven  grant  we  fare  together  when  we  go 

Across  the  wonder-ferry,  whither-where! 


374  Old  Japan 

Behind  a  screen  of  slender,  pale  bamboo  a  cottage 
rears  its  mossy  roofs.  A  brooklet,  crystal  pure,  pours 
its  blithe  cadence  over  mossy  stones.  Smiling  iris  like 
little  children  peer  from  dew-drenched  lids.  Cicadae  are 
singing  in  the  pines.  The  air  quivers  with  myriad  life. 

Beyond,  faraway  in  the  infinite  blue,  motionless,  calm, 
and  mysterious,  stainless  with  eternal  snow,  shimmers, 
like  a  pallid  phantom,  the  dawn-kissed  crest  of  Fuji- 
yama. 

One  day,  in  the  month  of  plum-blossoms,  came  a  baby, 
a  big,  blue-eyed,  flaxen-haired  boy. 

O  Hasu  San  (Lotus  Blossom),  joyous  as  only  a 
Japanese  mother  can  be,  laughingly  named  it "  Debbie," 
from  its  father's  favourite  oath. 

^  "You  beeg,  beautiful  Russian  how  surprize  you 
popper  be  wen  he  see  you!  "What  you  thing  he  gon* 
do?"  she  demanded  savagely. 

But  the  baby  only  gurgled  and  rolled  its  great  round 
eyes. 

"You  don'  know.  Then  I  tol'  you.  He  gon'  make 
that  kees-ceremony  many,  many  time  till  he  mos* 
smother  us. 

1 '  Then  he  say : '  Sacramenski !  That  mos'  fine*  man- 
male  boy-baby  in  whole  world!'" 

Catching  up  her  samisen,  Lotus  crooned  a  lullaby: 

"Nenneko,  nenneko, 
Nennekoyo ! 
Oraga  akanbowa 


A  Modern  Samurai  375 

Itsudekita? 
Sangatsu  sakurano 
Sakutokini ! 
Doride  okawoga 
Sakurairo. " 

Cradle  Song 

Sleep,  Little  One,  sleep! 

When  was  my  baby  made? 
In  the  April  month  of  the  cherry  bright 
Wherefore  his  face  is  as  pink  and  white. 

A  blossom  that  shall  not  fade. 
Sleep,  happily  sleep. 

Sleep,  my  Pretty  One,  sleep 
Safe  with  thy  mother  nigh, 

My  love  for  thee  is  as  strong  and  deep 

As  the  numberless  trees  on  the  mountains  steep, 
As  the  countless  leaves  of  the  forest  high 
And  the  myriad  stars  of  the  endless  sky. 

Sleep,  my  Little  One,  sleep! 

"Blue  eyes,"  she  laughed,  straining  him  to  her 
breast. 

"Those  glory  Sun-Goddess  Amaterasu  send  you  me 
from  Rainbow  Bridge  of  Hebben. " 

The  baby  opened  two  wide  cerulean  eyes. 

"Sky-blue  eyes  and  goldy  ha-are,  and  such  peenk 
cheeks,  all  same  Ueno  cherry  bloom!  Was  ever  babe 
like  those?" 

"Blub,  blub,"  bubbled  the  baby,  kicking  in  charac- 
teristic assertion  of  sex. 


376  Old  Japan 

Lotus  shook  him  belligerently  and  made  as  if  to 
chasten  his  spankable  plumpness. 

"Yaes,"  she  laughed,  "you  lig  your  f adder!  Great 
beeg  Tojin.  You  most  beautiful  boy-debble  in  all 
world!" 

Out  of  a  leaden  sky  came  a  sudden  flurry  of  sleet  and 
hail. 

The  sampans  rocked  in  the  offing,  like  writhing 
spirits.  The  shoji  creaked  and  groaned  with  each 
passing  gust. 

The  baby  slept  pig-a-back  on  the  shoulders  of  its 
child-mother.  She  crooned  an  Izumo  folk-song: 

"Snow-flakes!  Hail-stones,  ever  turning! 

In  your  kitchen,  what  a  row ! 
Beans  are  boiling,  soup  is  burning. 
Baby  squalling.     Dad  returning. 
Isn't  that  a  pretty  mix  of  flurry-worry  now?" 

Suddenly  Lotus  started  as  she  caught  the  sound  of  a 
shuffling  step. 

She  ran  to  the  shoji. 

The  babe  uttered  a  quick,  sharp  wail. 

Staggering  through  the  doorway,  his  eyes  bloodshot 
with  sake,  Villanoff  lurched  in. 

0  Hasu  San  inclined  herself  in  piteous  appeal. 

"You  damned  Yellow  Devil,"  he  muttered,  kicking 
her  upon  the  face.  Then,  spying  the  infant: 

"Whose  brat  is  that?"  he  shouted. 


A  Modern  Samurai  377 

"Youse, "  smiled  the  mother,  wiping  her  bleeding 
forehead. 

Villanoff  broke  into  a  volley  of  foul  imprecations. 
Then,  tearing  the  baby  from  her  cuffed  it  into  senseless 
silence. 

"So,  this  is  what  you  do  when  I  leave  you!  Instead 
of  diving  for  pearls.  A  fine  pearl  this!" 

Lotus  faced  him  with  dilated  nostrils  and  heaving 
breast : 

"Vasili!"  she  gasped,  "why  you  looking  at  me  like 
those?  What  have  I  make?" 

"What!"  he  laughed.  ''You  know  well  enough. 
Get  out  or  I'll  kill  you!"  he  thundered,  throwing  her 
to  the  floor. 

"Spare  me,  for  love  of  liddle  Debbie!"  she  pleaded 
clinging  to  his  knees.  "Think  of  those  happy  days  we 
make  Miyako-bird  together.  I  will  naever,  naever 
lose  my  hold.  You  can  not  outcast  me.  I  swear  'fore 
all  those  thousand  million  gods  I  been  true  good  faithful 
wife.  You  have  not  heart  for  keel  me ! " 

He  struggled  to  withdraw  her  clinging  arms  but,  strive 
as  he  might,  he  could  not  tear  them  off. 

"  Listen, "  she  implored,  "we  go  far  off  Tojin  country, 
live  foraever  happiness.  I  promise  make  forgiddings 
aevry  things,  and  naever  make  you  angry,  only  always 
peace  and  love. " 

Villanoff  wrenched  himself  free  and  drew  his 
revolver.  Then,  fearing,  if  he  fired,  that  he  might 


378  Old  Japan 

be  convicted  of  murder,  crashed  the  butt  upon  her 
face! 

Blood  raining  from  her  forehead,  0  Hasu  San  fell, 
breathing  a  prayer  for  her  husband: 

"Namu  Amida  Butsu!"  she  moaned,  "he  no  knowing 
what  he  make!" 

V 

MOST  TOPSY-TURVY  LOVE-LETTERS 

TOKIO,  Jan.  18,  1871. 

HEART'S  DEAREST,  OKAMA  SAN: 

How  can  thank  for  those  wonderfully  thing  you  do  for 
doar  Japan. 

Alast!  how  unconvenient  is  those  English  languish  for 
repress  my  love. 

No  more  shall  I  call  you  Honourable  Sir  never,  Dic- 
tionary say  it  is  "servilious  title  of  thing  what  have  no  com- 
pensation." 

0  my  dear  dishonourable  Okama,  ever  you  shall  have 
compensations  of  my  love. 

1  have  mos'  sorrowfull  tail  to  tell.    One  day  I  make 
wandering  round  Nagoya  castle,  see   girl  with  boy-child 
making  tear-droppings. 

She  tell  me  ver'  ver'  sad  story.  One  time  was  pearl- 
maiden.  Then  come  beeg  foreign  Debbie-husband  bring 
liddle  boy-child.  They  all,  all  happiness  till  suddenly  he 
out-cast  her.  Now  she  make  wanderings  aevrywhere  for 
find  him,  crazy  of  love. 

She  thinks  she  those  Eikibo  what  dance  flower-foam-wave. 
Say  Darsuka  come  on  big  kite,  steal  Goldy  Dolphin  for  her. 


A  Modern  Samurai  379 

I  give  sweet-meats  liddle  boy,  ask  what  he  name. 

Now  what  you  thing?  He  say:  "Debbie,  Liddle  Debbie 
Villanoff!" 

Then  I  look  him  very  searchful.  Ah!  those  blue  eye, 
those  goldy  hare.  Sure  is  sinful  Russian's  child! 

Then  she  run  away.     Naever  I  find  her  no  more. 

When  I  tell  August  Fadder,  he  laugh,  say  all  is  lies. 

Those  Vasiline  Villanoff  make  talking  with  Honourable 
Fadder.  He  say  Sakura  San  mus'  marry  with  sinful 
Russian! 

O,  my  brave  Fairy  Prince,  come  quickness,  save  me  from 
ape-face  Barbarian. 

Yours  in  despair 

CHERRY  BLOSSOM. 

R.  S.  V.  P. 

I  make  Moon-Dream  sing-song  for  you.  It  sound  most 
sweetly  to  Koto-strumming. 

Moon-Dream 

Last  night  I  dream,  when  moon-beams  make 
Kiss-ceremony  to  iris-flower, 
When  amorous  frogs  make  song  in  mud-pool 
And  stork-bird  stand  with  bill  neath  wing-bone. 

0  Love! 

Delicious  pain  of  heart  intoxication! 

1  rejoice  with  lonesome  bliss  of  joyous  sorrow, 
With  laughing  soul! 

And  voice  of  disembowelled  spirit, 

To  overhelming  disgust  of  august  parent, 

Rather  than  drink  sake-cup  with  sinful  Russian 

I  will  commit  honourable  hara-kiri 

Or  cut  my  lovesome  locks  and  be  a  Nun! 


380  Old  Japan 


WASHINGTON, 
February  30,  1871. 


O  MY  MOST  ALWAYS-FRAGRANT  CHERRY  BLOSSOM: 

How  distressful  to  think  you  have  such  heart-bursting 
experience. 

Yet  I  also  little  happy  you  comprehensive  wickedness  of 
shameless  VillanofL 

Never  will  I  suffer  him  touch  so  much  as  your  tabi. 

"Liddle  Snail,"  is  coming  ver'  ver'  fast.  Unexpectable 
event  is  perspire. 

In  recognition  those  trifle  'demnity-service  Mikado 
make  me  Commissary  to  Vienna  Exposition.  So  I  is 
untold  happiness  for  have  Bank  Savings  for  sewerage 
passage;  soonly  come  to  Sakura  San,  make  Kameido- 
Bridge-roaming,  hear  Japanese  hum-bee  by  silverous 
stream. 

Morever,  if  you  is  willing  defy  Honourable  Fadder,  we 
marry  and  go  far  Vienna-country  together. 

When  I  think  this  I  most  crazy  of  joy. 

0,  my  soon-be-bride,  this  only  hope  remunerate  all  those 
years  of  loneless  toil. 

"Will  you  be  change,  my  Flower?  Only  one  thing  naever 
change  through  all  my  million  lives — my  love  for  Sakura 
San! 

Foraever  Your 

OKAMA. 


Love-Changelessness 

Such  wonder-sweetness  met  my  eye 
Those  day  I  first  see  you. 

The  cherry  snow-flakes  fell  from  sky, 
Heaven's  tears  from  out  the  blue. 


A  Modern  Samurai  381 

You  seemed  like  flowery  fairy  sprite 

Awing  like  butterfly 
A  wild-wood  blossom,  ghostly  white, 

Blown  from  a  blither  sky. 

Since  then,  what  e'er  the  time  of  year, 

The  Cherry  Blossoms  sing; 
Within  my  heart  forever,  Dear, 

The  world  is  spring! 

VI 

THE  FOX-BRIDE 

Long  ages  syne,  so  mossy  legends  tell, 
There  dwelt,  in  flowery-fair  Izumo's  isle, 

A  lady-fox  of  gentle,  guileless  spell, 

Beloved  by  all  good  folk  for  many  a  mile. 

Glad  were  they  if,  at  eve  against  the  pane, 
She  softly  tapped  her  silken,  snow-white  tail, 

And  swift  would  ope  the  door,  with  gladness  fain 
To  give  her  of  their  cheer  and  welcome  hale; 

The  whiles  with  graceful  gambol  she  would  play 
The  babes  among — then  steal  back  to  the  vale. 

Long  ages  syne,  so  mossy  legends  say. 

But  wicked  hunters  spied  Inari  fair 

One  summer  evening  frisking  in  the  wood, 

And  straightway,  thirsting  for  her  guileless  blood 
With  cruel  hounds  pursued  her  to  her  lair. 

Fleetly  she  fled  across  the  rice-green  plain, 
Like  flame  before  the  wind,  seeking  to  gain 

The  temple  of  the  fox-god  in  the  dell 
And  find  therein  a  refuge  not  in  vain. 

Long  ages  syne,  so  mossy  legends  tell. 


382  Old  Japan 

Now  Prince  Yashima  knelt  within  the  fane 
Telling  his  beads,  in  contemplation  bent. 
Inari,  trembling  sore  and  sorely  spent, 

Ran  to  the  Prince,  and  hid  beneath  his  train! 

With  pity  moved,  he  stroked  her  snowy  nose: 

"Fear  not,"  he  smiled,  "I'll  shield  you  from  your  foes!" 

Then  straight  Inari  shed  her  great  dismay; 
When  sudden  at  the  door  the  huntsmen  rose! 

Long-ages  syne,  so  mossy  legends  say. 

"Hast  spied  a  snow-white  fox?"  they  questioned  him, 
Seeking  its  life  to  slake  their  bloody  lust, 
"Nay!"  swore  Yashima,  faithful  to  his  trust, 

"Naught  have  I  seen  within  the  temple  dim." 

The  huntsmen  turned,  about  to  quit  the  door, 
When  swift,  beneath  the  robe  Yashima  wore 

With  greedy  eyes  and  mad,  triumphant  yell, 
They  spied  a  trembling  tail  upon  the  floor! 

Long  ages  syne,  so  mossy  legends  tell. 

With  wrathful  cries  demanded  they  their  prey, 

Stoutly  the  Prince  refused,  a  boar  at  bay! 

They  rush  upon  him  bent  on  murder  dire, 

With  sword  and  pike  the  lacquered  mail  strikes  fire! 

Whereat  the  Prince  laughed  low  with  bitter  mirth, 
And  laid  about  him  with  such  valiant  worth, 

That,  in  the  frantic  press  and  red  affray, 
He  felled  his  caitiff  foemen  to  the  earth! 

Long  ages  syne,  so  mossy  legends  say. 

Then  from  the  shadows  fell  an  eerie  rune. 

He  turned,  and  to  his  mazed  eyes,  a  sprite, 
A  maiden  fairer  than  the  autumn  moon, 

Stepped  from  the  darkness  out  into  the  light. 


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A  Modern  Samurai  383 

Yashima  told  her  of  the  fox  snow-white, 

Beset  by  cruel  hunters  in  the  dell, 
And  how  he  saved  it  by  his  valiant  might, 
And  softly  she  bespake  the  lovesome  knight, 

Long  ages  syne,  so  mossy  legends  tell. 

With  tender  words  of  fond  solicitude, 

She  solaced  then  his  grief  with  such  sweet  ruth 
He  saw  the  dream  was  true  in  very  sooth, 

Whereat  the  maid  right  manfully  he  wooed. 

She,  nothing  loth,  his  passion  did  requite 

And  they  were  wed,  and  after,  many  a  day 
In  joyance  dwelt  in  fair  Izumo  bright, 
Blessing  the  gods  that  brought  them  such  delight. 
Long  ages  syne,  so  mossy  legends  say. 

Now  on  a  day  when  sultry  was  the  sky, 

A  son  was  born  to  crown  their  cup  of  bliss. 
Whereafter  wept  the  Princess  grievously,  ^ 

And  when  Yashima  asked  what  was  amiss, 
She  took  his  hand  and  said:  "My  husband  fair, 

Our  life  has  been  a  dream  of  long  delight; 
But  now  the  Ape-god  calls  me  to  his  lair! 

I  am  none  other  than  the  fox  snow-white 
Whom  once  you  sheltered  from  the  huntsmen  fell; 

Farewell,  my  Prince!"  Then  swiftly  took  her  flight 
Long  ages  syne,  so  mossy  legends  tell. 

And  never  more,  in  fair  Izumo's  isle, 

Was  seen  the  snow-white  fox,  beloved  so  well 

By  all  good  folk  around  for  many  a  mile 
But  when  an  ebon  fox  descends  the  dell 


384  Old  Japan 

The  trembling  peasants  whisper  in  dismay: 
"The  Ape-god  comes  to  steal  our  babes  away!" 
•   Long  ages  syne,  so  mossy  legends  tell. 


A  maiden  stood  upon  the  "Rainbow  Bridge, "  gazing 
idly  into  the  lake. 

A  breeze  fluttered  her  white-fox  furs,  and  drawing  the 
mantle  about  her  shoulders  she  raised  her  head. 

"I  have  found  you  at  last,  my  little  Fox  Bride," 
cried  Okama. 

"Yaes,"  she  stammered,  "I  poor  hunted  fox,  lig 
liddle  Inari.  You  great  beeg  hero,  lig  Prince  Yashima. 
Hide  me  'neath  your  coat-tail.  Protect  me  from  Ape- 
God  Russian.  Cause  why?  .1  your  liddle  Foxy  Bride, 
an'  you  gon*  marry  me,  take  me  Vienna-country  for- 
aever  and  aever!" 

"Yes,"  he  promised,  embracing  her  in  true  Western 
fashion,  "nothing  shall  part  us  now,  my  Cherry  Blos- 
som." 

She  laughed  roguishly: 

"Oh!  how  that  is  sweet.  Where  you  learn  those 
embrace?  You  been  make  kees-ceremony  with  blue- 
eye  Merican  female-lady!" 

"No,  never,"  protested  Okama.  "Look,  little  Fox- 
Bride,  I  have  brought  you  the  very  pearl  with  which  you 
ransomed  my  sword. " 

She  gave  a  little  joyous  cry :  "  Oh !  I  so  glad,  cause  ole 
Ape-Face  he  say  if  I  objections  marry  him  he  tell  how  I 


A  Modern  Samurai  385 

buy  those  samurai  sword.  Then  Honourable  Fadder 
make  tarrable  swearings,  cause  I  compromise  of  you. 

"Now  I  put  pearl  back  on  neck-loose,  then  say: 
4  Honourable  Fadder,  count!  Where  is  those  pearl  what 
not  was?  Where  is?'" 

"What  right  has  this  scoundrel  to  frighten  you?" 
Okama  demanded  indignantly. 

"Not  no  light,"  she  faltered,  "jus  only  one  liddle 
thing.  Pretty  soon  he  gon'  marry  me,  thaz  all!" 

He  winced  as  though  struck  upon  the  face. 

"You  are  betrothed!"  he  gasped. 

"  Yaes, "  she  shuddered.  "Honourable  Fadder  blige 
me  do  those  tarrable  thing.  Mebbe  you  bedder  go. 
Naever  can  I  make  talkings  with  you  aever  more. " 

"Where  the  devil  are  you,  Cherry  Blossom?"  called 
a  gruff  voice.  "I've  been  looking  for  you  all  over  the 
park." 

"All  light.  I  coming,  Honourable  Villanoff,  I 
coming,"  she  laughed. 

"Sayonara,  foraever,"  she  whispered  and  pattered 
down  the  Rainbow  Archway. 

.: 

VII 

EAVESDROPPING 

In  a  fashionable  Viennese  cafe,  the  Tzigane  orchestra 
was  playing  a  last  languorous  waltz.  On  the  waves  of 
its  melody  Okama  drifted  to  the  shores  of  his  dear  Japan. 


386  Old  Japan 

The  music  stopped.  One  by  one  the  guests  departed ; 
a  waiter  was  turning  out  the  lights. 

"Are  you  sure  we  are  alone?"  whispered  a  voice  in  an 
adjoining  alcove. 

Okama  pricked  his  ears. 

"Yes,  your  Excellency,"  replied  another. 

"  Good,  let  us  get  down  to  business, "  growled  the  first. 

"You  know  as  well  as  I  that  it's  the  Gibraltar  of  the 
Orient.  It  commands  the  Yellow  Sea  and  is  the  key  to 
'Manchuria. " 

"Exactly,"  assented  the  other,  "fifty  miles  from 
Tsushima.  Midway  between  Vladivostok  and  Port 
Arthur,  an  ice-free  port  big  enough  to  shelter  a  world's 
fleet.  Masampo  is  the  ideal  naval  base.  But,  your 
Excellency,  I  fail  to  see  how  this  concerns  me. " 

"  Have  patience.  I  am  coming  to  the  point.  Listen, 
Villanoff.  You  must  go  to  Masampo  and,  pretending 
you  are  the  agent  of  a  Japanese  steamship  company, 
little  by  little  purchase  from  the  Koreans  all  the 
strategic  sites  surrounding  the  harbour. 

"I  will  give  you  letters  to  our  agents  in  Fusan  who 
will  assist  you.  Having  acquired  the  sites  you  will  set 
about  building  fortifications. 

"Buy  the  Koreans  who  stand  in  your  way,  they  are 
all  corrupt." 

"A  pretty  scheme,"  laughed  Villanoff.  "But  what 
do  I  get?  What  was  my  reward  in  that  Shimonoseki 
fizzle? 


A  Modern  Samurai  387 

"  I  am  doing  some  promising  gold-fishing  now.  Did 
you  notice  the  little  beauty  with  me  at  the  opera  last 
night?  The  richest  catch  in  Japan,  and  I've  nearly 
landed  her. 

1 '  No,  thank  you,  your  humble  servant  has  had  enough 
of  unrequited  patriotism!" 

"How  would  an  admiral's  commission  strike  you?" 
asked  the  first  speaker,  tentatively. 

He  shook  his  head. 

"A  patent  of  nobility?" 

Villanoff  shrugged.  "  Masampo  means  Korea,  Man- 
churia, China.  It  is  worth  the  highest  price!" 

"Alliance  with  a  Princess  then?" 

"Very  well,"  laughed  Villanoff.  "Make  it  a  royal 
Princess  and  I  go!" 

VIII 

THE  WAY  OF  THE  GODS 

"Who  in  blazes  fired  that  rocket?"  muttered  the 
captain.  "  The  ship  is  not  in  danger. " 

"Look,  look!"  cried  Okama,  "there  is  an  answering 

signal!" 

Out  of  the  black  fog  there  shot  into  the  night  a  bol 
of  blood-red  fire,  revealing  in  its  flash  a  bleak  and  rugged 

headland. 

"Toshima  Island!"  he  exclaimed,  but  the  lamp  : 

extinguished. 

"Impossible!"    laughed    the    captain. 


388  Old  Japan 

the  beacon  on  our  port  quarter.  We  are  off  Izu,  in 
deep  water. " 

*'Why  then  are  we  slowing  down?"  asked  Okama 
puzzled. 

Suddenly  the  sputtering  of  a  motor  came  to  his  ear, 
and,  through  the  smother,  he  saw  a  launch.  A  shout 
rang  from  the  crow's  nest:  "Land  ahoy!  Land  ahoy! 
dead  ahead!" 

The  fog  thickened  into  a  solid  wall. 

The  next  instant  the  steamer  crashed  against  a  rock. 

The  water  poured  through  the  broken  bulk-heads 
filling  the  engine  room  with  hissing  steam. 

Above  the  shrieks  of  panic-stricken  passengers  called 
the  calm  voice  of  the  captain: 

"Launch  the  boats!" 

"  My  daughter ! "  wailed  Baron  Mori.  "  She  is  asleep 
in  her  state-room!" 

"I  will  bring  her,"  cried  Okama,  leaping  into  the 
companion-way. 

Half-way  down  the  stairs  he  met  Villanoff  bearing  a 
lifeless  burden.  A  scarf  steeped  in  chloroform  was 
bound  over  the  girl's  face. 

To  his  consternation  Okama  recognized  Cherry 
Blossom. 

He  followed  to  the  'tween  decks.  In  the  trough  of 
the  sea  wallowed  a  launch. 

Lowering  the  maiden  into  the  arms  of  a  sailor  Villan- 
off was  about  to  leap  when  Okama  grappled  with  him. 


A  Modern  Samurai  389 

Locked  in  each  other's  arms  they  struggled  upon  the 
deck  of  the  sinking  ship.  With  a  strength  born  of  des- 
peration, little  by  little  Okama  overpowered  the  giant 
Russian  and  flung  him  to  the  deck. 

"Go,"  he  cried,  "take  your  chances  with  the  rest.' 

"Leap!"  shouted  the  pilot,  "or  you'll  be  carried 
down  with  the  suction!" 

Okama  sprang  from  the  doomed  vessel  as  the  launch 
rose  on  the  crest  of  a  comber. 

A  moment  later  the  steamer  keeled  over  and,  stern 
in  air,  plunged  suddenly  into  the  sea. 

A  muffled  roar  rose  from  the  maelstrom  as  the  little 
craft  climbed  a  cataract  of  seething  foam  and  bounded 
toward  the  shore.  ; 

Bereft 

How  well  I  recollect  the  day 

Now  many  years  agone, 
When  as  a  mousmee,  mild  and  gay, 

I  left  my  mother's  home. 

How  dearly  I  remember  too 

The  cottage  where  was  born 
The  boy-babe  whom  I  cherished  so, 

So  swiftly  from  me  torn. 

Without  a  thought  of  selfishness 

I  lived  but  in  my  boy. 
My  every  dream,  his  happiness, 

My  very  life,  his  joy. 


390  Old  Japan 

And  when  he  grows  to  man's  estate 

Another  heart  he'll  find 
To  solace  him,  what  e'er  his  fate, 
I      With  loyal  love  and  kind. 

Alas,  my  dreams  were  all  untrue 
/      For,  pitiless  and  blind, 

Death  took  my  dear-ling  ere  he  knew 
\      The  love  of  mother-kind. 

Since  when  in  childlessness  I  wait, 
'      Heedless  of  grief  or  joy, 
Till  Death  shall  come,  compassionate, 
And  take  me  to  my  boy. 

(After  LAFCADIO  HEARN.) 

Wan  and  haggard  Lotus  scanned  the  billows,  as  the 
sea  gave  up  its  dead. 

From  corpse  to  corpse  she  ran  gazing  eagerly  into  each 
white  face  in  futile  quest  of  him  she  loved. 

At  last  the  waves  cast  a  gruesome  burden  at  her 
feet. 

Vainly  she  laboured  over  the  body  of  the  drowned 
man,  tirelessly  chafing  the  bloodless  hands,  striving  to 
quicken  it  to  consciousness. 

Into  unheeding  ears  she  poured  her  passionate  appeal, 
breathed  between  stiffened  lips  her  own  warm  breath, 
and  searched  staring  eyes  in  vain  for  some  vague  sign 
of  life. 

Not  until  the  white-haired  priest  told  her  that  the 
erring  spirit  had  found  Nirvana,  did  the  bereaved 
woman  relinquish  hope. 


A  Modern  Samurai  391 

Beneath  a  flickering  taper  lay  the  shrouded  form. 
Blue  wreaths  of  incense  fluttered  upward  in  the  gloom. 

Lifting  the  pall,  0  Hasu  San  peered  with  tearless 
eyes  upon  the  cold,  relentless  face. 

Silently  she  glided  to  the  tokonoma,  and  drew  forth 
a  samurai  sword,  the  sword  of  her  father,  the  soul  of  his 
ancient  faith.  A  golden  dolphin  wound  about  the  heavy 
hilt.  Upon  the  Muramasa  blade  was  graven  in  dim 
ideographs  a  half  obliterated  verse: 

The  Soul  of  the  Samurai 

"Still  live  the  samurai  who  honour  breathe, 
Who  rather  than  to  shame  their  ancestry 
To  live  dishonoured  and  dishonour  thee, 
In  their  own  hearts  their  naked  swords  would  sheathe. " 

Lifting  the  sword  to  her  forehead  she  prostrated  her- 
self in  piteous  appeal. 

"Amaterasu  no  Mikami,"  she  murmured,  "make  me 
not  coward  in  my  honourable  duty!" 

Then,  with  a  sudden  thrust,  she  plunged  the  blade 

into  her  throat. 
A  slender  scarlet  thread  crimsoned  the  stainless 

matting. 

The  sword  fell  from  her  lifeless  fingers. 

Through  the  tattered  shoji  swept  a  scent  of  cherry 
bloom.     A   white   butterfly   winged   upward   on 
breath  of  a  sunbeam. 


392  Old  Japan 

O  Hasu  San  no  longer  knew,  nor  pain,  nor  fear,  nor 
grief.  Upon  her  flower- white  face  blossomed  a  smile  of 
child-like  innocence.  Her  lotus-pure  soul  had  fled  the 
mire  of  earth. 

Upon  the  body  of  Villanoff  was  found  a  packet  of 
papers,  incriminating  evidence  of  a  double  conspiracy: 
the  wrecking  of  the  steamer  Nil,  to  conceal  his  theft  of 
the  Golden  Dolphin,  and  his  treacherous  plot  to  gain 
Masampo. 

Okama  brought  a  salvage  ship  to  the  island  and,  after 
patient  fishing,  succeeded  in  raising  the  Golden  Dolphin 
from  its  watery  tomb  to  its  airy  home  on  the  ridge  of 
Nagoya  Castle,  where  it  kicks  its  tail  in  ceaseless  trans- 
port to  this  day. 

By  dint  of  shrewd  diplomacy  he  procured  for  his 
country  the  very  sites  at  Masampo  which  Russia  had 
coveted,  making  Japan  possessor  of  the  Gibraltar  of 
the  Orient,  the  key  to  Manchuria  and  Korea! 

The  Fleeting  World 

Through  lazy  lane  and  bustling  mart  we  go, 
Gliding  in  smooth  kuruma  down  the  street, 
Drawn  by  a  sun-bronzed  coolie,  brave  and  fleet, 

As  round  us  whirls  the  motley  passing  show, 

Bulky,  black  bullocks,  lumbering  and  slow, 
Led  by  brown,  buxom  maids  so  smiling  sweet, 
Plod  heavy  hoofs  beneath  the  sultry  heat, 

Bearing  great  vats  of  sake  to  and  fro. 


A  Modern  Samurai  393 

From  out  dim,  dingy  shops  old  tradesmen  leer 
Like  lewd  netsukes  laughing  in  the  gloom; 

While,  in  the  sunshine,  romping,  plump,  and  dear, 
Nude  babies  dance  beneath  the  cherry  bloom. 

O  happy  folk!  who  hold  of  joy  the  art, 

Ye  grown-up  children,  young  and  blithe  of  heart. 

It  is  wistaria-time  at  Kameido,  and  Okama  and 
Cherry  Blossom,  honey-mooning,  are  gliding  in  rick- 
shaw to  the  flowery  f &te. 

The  years  have  brought  the  realization  of  their 
dreams.  Okama  has  been  appointed  Minister  of  For- 
eign Affairs.  He  has  lived  to  see  his  countrymen 
rewarded  for  their  patient  efforts  by  a  constitution  and 
national  assembly,  a  "government  of  the  people,  for 
the  people,  and  by  the  people. " 

Once  more  they  stand  upon  the  Rainbow  Bridge, 
long  purple  tassels  of  wistaria  trailing  in  the  little  lake. 

Golden  carp  dart  through  the  darkling  shadows,  and 
greedily  leap  for  mochi. 

"Fairest  of  brides  art  thou,"  murmurs  Okama,  "even 
as  Kameido  is  Queen  of  parks!" 

"Mos*  greatest  male-man-Mikado  thou,"  smiles 
Cherry  Blossom,  "all  same  Fujiyama  Mikado-Moun- 
tain!" and  tossing  their  rice-cakes  to  the  carp  they 
patter  down  the  archway. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

THE  TRIUMPH 
The  Samurai 

Cloud-girt  among  her  mountains 

Nippon  in  wrath,  as  of  old, 
Unleashes  her  young  warrior, 

Lo,  the  world's  champion  behold! 

He  comes  abysmal  as  chaos, 

A  boy  with  the  smile  of  a  girl, 
Tumbles  his  man  with  a  hand-shake 

And  spits  him  up  with  a  twirl. 

Nourished  on  rice  and  a  dew-drop, 

He  fans  him  to  sleep  with  a  star, 
Believing  the  fathers  of  Nippon 

Created  things  as  they  are. 

So  up  and  across  the  short  ocean 

He  sails  to  the  land  of  can't 
To  keep  up  the  name  of  his  fathers 

And  smash  down  the  things  that  shan't. 

Ah!    What  a  freshet  of  glory, 

When  into  the  noisy  fray, 
Against  a  shaggy  old  giant 

Comes  this  youth  asmile  and  gay ! 

RICHARD  BARRY. 
394 


The  Triumph  395 

PRELUDE 

IT  has  come  at  last!"  smiled  Minamoto,  his  voice 
*  trembling  with  elation.  "Tomorrow,  little  wife, 
I  shall  start  for  the  front!" 

He  had  hoped  for  this  moment  with  the  eagerness  of 
a  hound  straining  at  the  leash. 

It  was  the  noblest  privilege  of  a  samurai  to  die  for  his 
country. 

O  Hana  San  subsided  to  the  mats  and  bumped  her 
dainty  head. 

"Wondrous  is  honour  descended  down  on  worthless 
wife  by  augustness  heaven-born  Mikado,"  she  smiled 
courageously.  But  her  voice  belied  her  words;  her 
secret  soul  was  rent  with  anguish. 

' '  Have  courage.     I  will  soon  return, ' '  he  said  cheerily. 

Breaking  off  a  spray  of  cherry-bloom  he  wreathed  it 
about  her  brow. 

"Arigato,"  she  laughed  pitifully,  drooping  her 
slanted  lids. 

Suddenly  her  heart  failed  her  and  she  sank  weeping 
before  the  Buddha: 

"Namu  Amida  Butsu,"  she  sobbed,  "make  pity  for 
shameless  Hana  San ! 

"Holy,  Merciful  Shaka,  spare  my  sweet  Yoshida! 
Make  august  wonder.  Stop  those  crule  war! 

"Oh,  all  Gods  in  sky,  Hana  San  die  rather  than  keep 
him  from  honourable  duty.  But  she  mus'  live,  for 
cause  of  liddle  one  what  is  to  be." 


396  Old  Japan 

Minamoto  clasped  her  tenderly : 

"I  will  stay,"  he  faltered,  "I  will  not  desert  you  in 
your  hour  of  agony. " 

Her  eyes  flashed  fire. 

"No, "  she  shrilled,  "you  gon'  go  with  your  reg'ment. 
Nobody's  gon'  say:  'Those  coward  Hana  San  made  you 
stay!'" 

He  no  longer  recognized  in  this  inexorable  goddess 
his  gentle  child-like  wife. 

"I  shall  go,"  he  assented  simply. 

A  smile  of  triumph  lighted  her  face: 

"Ah!  those  most  happy  moments  all  my  life!" 

"Give  me  a  talisman, "  he  pleaded,  "to  bring  me  safe 
again  to  you. " 

"Loog!"  she  laughed.  "Liddle  Iris-Blossom  flower, 
Hana  San  own  self!" 

Unclasping  a  golden  iris,  she  pinned  it  on  his  breast. 

He  kissed  her  hands  tenderly;  "Sayonara, "  he  whis- 
pered, and  was  gone. 

I 

THE  IMPERISHABLE 

They  stand,  though  merciless  the  battle  flood 
Thunders  its  mighty  avalanche  of  death, 
Waiting  the  fateful  hour  with  bated  breath, 

Eager  to  serve  their  country  with  their  blood, 

To  keep  undescrate  its  sacred  name; 
And  plant  the  banner  of  the  Rising  Sun 
Above  the  muzzle  of  the  Russian  gun, 

Upon  the  topmost  tower  fore'er  to  flame. 


The  Triumph  397 

Unconquered  still,  though  unrelenting  fate 

Their  fragile  bodies  may  annihilate, 
Ye  cannot  slay  with  swords  their  souls  the  while, 
Nor  dim  the  lustre  of  their  shining  smile, 

That  deathless  light  which  ever  gleaming  lies 

Imperishably  bright  within  their  eyes. 

Minamoto  stood  in  the  trenches  amongst  his  men. 
He  was  in  the  firing  line  of  a  great  battle.  Scarcely 
three  hundred  paces  separated  the  rifles  of  the  opposing 
armies.  The  ground  was  furrowed  with  the  scars  of 
countless  shells  and  littered  with  mangled  bodies  of  the 
dead.  All  that  day  had  the  Japanese  striven  desper- 
ately to  dislodge  the  Russians  from  their  vantage,  but 
in  vain. 

The  screech  of  the  shells  had  ceased.  There  was  a 
lull  in  the  din  of  battle,  broken  only  by  the  bullet  of  an 
occasional  sniper  whistling  overhead,  or  slapping  into 
the  mud  of  the  parapet. 

Minamoto  peeped  through  his  loop-hole,  his  eyes 
fixed  upon  a  little  knoll  half  way  between  the  two 
firing  lines.  Suddenly  he  caught  the  glint  of  a  thou- 
sand bayonets  as  a  regiment  of  Russians  sprang  from 
their  trench,  and  swarmed  like  ants  upon  the  plain. 

Like  a  single  shot  crashed  the  opening  volley  from  the 
Japanese  rifles,  and  a  hundred  burly  moujiks  fell  in 
their  tracks.  On  came  the  white  tunics  in  a  sanguinary 
rush  led  by  a  great  red-bearded  Cossack  with  the 
shoulders  of  an  ox. 

Again  the  Japanese  rifles  barked  in  a  simultaneous 


398  Old  Japan 

discharge.  Another  hundred,  reeling,  collapsed  only  a 
few  paces  in  front  of  their  fallen  comrades. 

Relentlessly  the  rifles  pour  forth  their  leaden  ava- 
lanche of  death.  One  by  one,  with  a  look  of  stupefaction 
upon  their  blanched  faces  the  mighty  moujiks  sink 
lifeless  to  earth. 

The  remnant,  surging  backward,  strive  to  save  them- 
selves in  flight;  but  the  Japanese  redouble  their  fire, 
and  the  Russians  melt  like  snow  before  the  sun.  Only 
a  handful  now  remain.  Throwing  their  arms  into  the 
air  they  rush  blindly  upon  the  naked  bayonets  of  their 
enemies. x 

Suddenly  the  firing  ceases.  Minamoto  leaps  over  the 
parapet  and,  brandishing  his  two-handed  sword,  races 
towards  his  adversary. 

Silent  and  sinister  the  stalwart  Russian  salutes  him. 
A  great  cheer  goes  up  as  they  cross  swords  and  meet  in 
mortal  combat. 

Whirling  his  Muramasa  blade,  the  sword  his  forbears 
had  wielded  in  a  hundred  battles,  Minamoto  springs 
upon  the  giant  Russian.  For  once  he  has  met  his  match, 
for  the  burly  Cossack  is  the  best  swordsman  in  Moscow. 

Swift  fly  the  blades  like  flashing  flames  in  a  ceaseless 
clash  of  thrust,  tierce,  and  parry.  For  a  time  they  fence 
carefully,  each  seeking  to  undermine  the  other's  guard. 
Then  suddenly,  before  he  is  aware  how  or  why,  with  a 

1 A  thrilling  "Trial  by  Champions"  is  described  by  Lionel  James, 
Military  Correspondent  of  the  Times,  in  his  Yellow  War. 


The  Triumph  399 

quick  twist  of   his  agile  wrist  Minamoto  whips  the 
Russian's  sword  high  into  the  air. 

1 '  Banzai !  Banzai ! "  shout  the  Japs  springing  from  the 
very  ground  as  Minamoto  stands  with  blade  uplifted 
about  to  strike. 

But  he  will  not  take  advantage  of  his  weaponless 
opponent.  Bowing  gravely  he  lays  his  sword  aside 
and  faces  the  Russian  empty  handed. 

For  a  moment  they  stand  thus  eyeing  each  other 
warily;  then  with  a  sudden  spring  they  come  to  grips. 
At  first  the  powerful  Russian  thrusts  his  little  antagon- 
ist hither  and  thither  apparently  at  will.  But,  like  a 
serpent,  Minamoto  writhes  from  his  grasp,  and,  with  a 
sudden  trick  of  jujutsu,  throws  his  lumbering  opponent 
upon  his  back. 

A  great  shout  goes  up  from  the  Japanese  soldiery  as 
their  commander  lifts  his  prostrate  foe. 

The  Russian  salutes  his  victor. 

Minamoto  grasps  his  hand : 

"Captain  Ivanovitch,  you  are  my  prisoner, "  he  smiles 
and  extending  his  cigarette-case:  "Have  a  smoke!" 
he  said  boyishly. 

II 

INTRIGUE 

Amida 

Ruthless  as  death,  implacable  as  hate, 

In  mouldering  cerements  of  lacquered  gold, 
Sloe-eyed  Amida,  queen  of  asons  old, 


400  Old  Japan 

Daughter  of  strife  and  victory  elate, 

Goddess  of  War,  of  blood  insatiate, 

Whose  image  grim  the  ancient  Shoguns  bold, 
Wrapped  close  within  their  mailed  tunic's  fold, 

To  battle  bore,  a  talisman  'gainst  fate.  , 

She  stands  inscrutable,  her  slanted  eyes 
Peering  between  the  wrack  of  incense  fire, 

That  smoulders  slowly  upward  to  the  skies, 
Like  some  pale  lotus  springing  from  the  mire, 

Passionless  goddess,  pure,  inviolate, 

Aflame  with  ceaseless  fires  of  ruthless  hate. 

Ruthless  as  death,  but  how  surpassing  fair,  like  pale 
Amida  worn  with  vain  desire,  her  lustrous  eyes  lit  with 
the  fires  of  hate. 

Thus  she  seemed  to  Minamoto  as  he  first  caught  sight 
of  her  inscrutable  face  at  Dalny.  This  Russian  god- 
dess, cold,  haughty,  and  relentless — sleek  serpent-woman 
with  the  sting  of  death.  But  like  the  serpent,  obsidian- 
eyed  and  slothful,  this  smiling  sorceress  exercised  over 
the  little  Japanese  a  fascination  malign  but  irresistible. 

Tacita  was  an  enigma.  Why  she  lingered  in  Dalny 
after  the  evacuation  of  the  Russians  no  one  knew. 

Minamoto  stood  wonder-struck  as  he  met  her  at 
the  door: 

"Pardon,"^ he  stammered,  "I  am  assigned  quarters 
here." 

"Soldier,  the  house  is  yours, — what  the  Russian 
looters  have  left,"  she  smiled  sadly.  "Come -and 
see." 


The  Triumph  401 

Through  the  vacant  mansion  she  led  him  to  a  base- 
ment store-room  littered  with  precious  heirlooms. 

"This  is  all  I  have  in  the  world,"  she  sighed  wist- 
fully. 

Opening  a  door  she  disclosed  a  hidden  passage. 

"It  leads  beneath  the  city  wall  to  the  Port  Arthur 
post-road,"  she  volunteered.  "My  husband  brought 
in  contraband  goods  through  this  entrance.  We  were 
wealthy  till  they  crushed  him,"  she  cried  bitterly. 
"They  sent  him  to  Siberia  where  he  died  by  inches,  my 
poor  Nicolai!" 

"And  you  are  Russian?"  Minamoto  questioned  in 
bewilderment. 

"la  Russian!"  she  flashed  indignantly.  "I  am  Pol- 
ish. I  detest  them.  They  executed  my  father,  impris- 
oned my  brothers,  and  exiled  me.  Tell  me  you  will  not 
turn  me  from  my  door. " 

"You  may  stay.  You  are  one  of  us,"  he  smiled 
trustfully. 

He  saw  but  little  of  Tacita  in  the  busy  days  that  fol- 
lowed. At  times  she  would  come  to  his  office  to  bring 
him  biscuits  and  conserves,  then  with  a  smile  would 
swiftly  glide  away. 

One  night  Colonel  Imazawa,  Chief  of  the  Engineers, 
came  to  consult  some  plans. 

"Port  Arthur  cannot  be  taken  by  assault, "  he  coun- 
selled. "Ten  years  of  fortification  have  made  its 

•a 


402  Old  Japan 

enceinte  of  thirty  forts  impregnable.     Our  engineers 
must  open  the  way  with  mines." 

He  bent  his  head  over  Minamoto's  plans: 

"The  tunnel  must  be  pierced  at  this  point, "  he  com- 
manded, "the  mine  laid  here." 

A  slight  click,  almost  imperceptible,  was  heard  at  the 
door.  Glancing  up,  Minamoto  saw  the  knob  turn 
slowly. 

Springing  from  his  seat  he  threw  open  the  door. 
Tacita  stood  in  the  hall  confused  and  blushing  hold- 
ing a  tea-tray. 

"You  were  working  so  late,"  she  faltered.  "I 
thought  you  needed  refreshment." 

"It  was  very  thoughtful  of  you, "  he  said  ironically. 

"Take  these  plans  to  the  front  tomorrow,"  com- 
manded the  Colonel.  "Guard  them  carefully;  they 
are  the  key  to  Port  Arthur. " 

Grasping  Minamoto's  hand  warmly  he  took  his 
leave. 

Barcarole 

Small  fingers  on  the  silken  strings; 

Sunset  and  rising  moon; 
Far  hills  of  lapis,  whirr  of  wings 

Of  homing  birds  in  June: 

And  thou  wert  there,  the  twilight  on  thy  brow — 
0  bitter  is  the  biwa's  music  now! 

Beneath  the  scented  tamarinds 

On  some  celestial  trail 
We  drifted  with  the  purple  winds 


The  Triumph  403 

That  filled  our  sampan  sail; 
The  purple  winds  blow  once  and  not  again — 
0  bitter  is  the  biwa's  tender  strain! 

PAI  TA-SHUN  (FREDERICK  PETERSON). 

In  the  moon-silvered  garden  some  one  was  playing 
the  biwa. 

The  music  woke  infinite  longing  in  the  heart  of 
Minamoto,  for  it  recalled  halcyon  days  with  Hana  San. 

An  unwonted  loneliness  beset  him  and  he  went  out 
into  the  scented  night. 

Beneath  the  tamarinds  sat  Tacita,  her  fingers  flitting 
across  the  strings  in  a  languorous  melody.  As  her  eyes 
met  his  a  scarlet  blossom  fell  from  her  hair. 

Minamoto  strove  to  grasp  the  flower,  but  snatching 
it  from  him  she  thrust  it  in  her  breast. 

A  light  flashed  from  his  window.  He  turned,  won- 
dering who  had  entered  his  room;  but  Tacita  caught 
his  face  and  pressed  it  passionately  against  her  own. 

Suddenly  she  thrust  him  off,  her  eyes  aflame  with 
loathing. 

"You  yellow  monkey!"  she  shrilled,  "how  dare  you 
touch  me!"  and  was  gone. 

A  moment  later  he  saw  a  shadow  upon  the  pane. 
It  was  Tacita  clasped  in  the  arms  of  Ivanovitch. 

White  with  anger  Minamoto  hurried  to  his  office. 
The  room  was  empty  and  the  plans  were  gone! 


404  Old  Japan 

A  cloud  of  dust  whirled  across  the  plain.  Above  the 
haze  white  coats  could  be  discerned;  then  the  tossing 
heads  of  horses  and  flying  manes  as  the  cloud  circled 
nearer  and  nearer.  The  plain  thundered  with  the  thud 
of  galloping  hoofs. 

Suddenly  with  a  cry  as  of  wild  beasts  a  band  of  Cos- 
sacks swooped  down  upon  the  gate. 

Minamoto  with  a  handful  of  samurai  leaped  to  the 
saddle  and  gave  chase.  Though  twice  outnumbered 
by  their  stalwart  antagonists  the  intrepid  little  troopers 
sabred,  slashed,  and  thrust  with  the  fury  of  demons. 
Steel  rang  against  steel  like  flails  upon  a  threshing 
floor. 

The  Cossacks,  driven  back,  circled  in  every  direction, 
seeking  vainly  to  escape.  So  furious  was  the  onset 
that,  in  spite  of  their  superior  numbers,  the  field  was 
strewn  with  bloody  bodies  of  the  slain.  Their  horses 
reared,  screamed,  bit,  and  kicked,  then  bolted  in  mad 
confusion. 

The  little  Japanese  pressed  them  closer  and  closer. 

Several  of  the  Cossacks  dismounted  and  strove  to  flee 
between  the  legs  of  the  horses.  These  were  trampled 
to  death  by  their  terrible  hoofs  or  sabred  relentlessly 
from  above. 

From  a  neighbouring  thicket  sounded  the  nauseous 
laugh  of  a  hyena. 

Thither  the  Russians  galloped,  pursued  by  the  aveng- 
ing samurai. 


The  Triumph  405 

With  a  blow  of  the  sabre  Minamoto  severed  a  Cos- 
sack's head.  The  corpse  fell  heavily  to  earth;  the 
riderless  horse  galloped  on. 

A  figure  sprang  from  the  thicket  and  leaped  to  the 
saddle.  Suddenly  Minamoto  recognized  Ivanovitch. 

Closing  about  him  in  a  wedge  the  Cossacks  cast  them- 
selves against  the  Japanese  in  a  desperate  charge.  Cost 
what  it  might  they  were  determined  to  hew  their  way 
through. 

Then  began  a  terrible  slaughter.  Minamoto,  flam- 
ing like  a  fire,  spurred  into  the  midst.  In  vain  he  strove 
to  reach  his  cowardly  adversary.  The  brawny  bandits 
kept  him  off  with  their  long  lances,  huddling  about 
Ivanovitch  in  a  ring  of  steel. 

In  the  blind  mUee  his  horse  stumbled  on  a  fallen 
body  and  Minamoto  fell  under  the  trampling  steeds  of 
his  men. 

The  little  band  drew  rein;  and  down  the  dim  horizon 
the  Cossacks  scattered  like  a  cloud  of  leaves. 

Ill 

THE  ETERNAL  DRAGON 

The  Russian  land  forces  were  securely  bottled  up 
within  the  fortifications,  as  tightly  as  their  fleet  which 
dared  not  poke  a  nose  outside  the  harbour. 

It  was  the  beginning  of  the  end  of  Port  Arthur. 

The  Japanese  army  was  halted  before  a  six-mile  line 


406  Old  Japan 

of  cliffs  stretching  across  the  peninsula,  precipices 
seven  hundred  feet  high  crowned  by  the  old  Chinese 
wall,  fortified  by  every  appliance  of  modern  gunnery. 
Only  madmen  would  attempt  to  scale  such  a  wall. 

Twenty-five  thousand  Japanese  dead  had  been  the 
price  of  the  last  assault.  They  had  now  resolved  to 
resort  to  mining. 

Across  the  wide  plain  they  dug  zigzag  trenches  to  the 
foot  of  Dragon  Hill. 

They  did  the  work  at  night,  carrying  back  the  earth 
on  stretchers,  and  covered  the  trenches  with  corn-stalks, 
so  that  they  could  not  be  distinguished  from  growing 
maize. 

The  assault  of  the  fortress,  to  be  preceded  by  explosion 
of  the  mine,  was  set  for  the  following  day. 

Minamoto  stood  before  General  Nogi  in  his  field 
headquarters.  He  reported  that  all  was  in  readiness. 
A  mere  touch  of  the  General's  hand  on  the  electric  key- 
board would  let  loose  a  volcano. 

Suddenly  the  telephone  rang. 

Mysterious  tappings  had  been  heard  in  the  heart  of 
the  cliff.  The  Russians  were  countermining! 

"Take  a  squad  of  men,"  commanded  the  General; 
"patrol  the  galleries  and  defend  the  mine!" 

Minamoto  saluted  and  was  gone. 

Listening  intently  for  the  slightest  sound,  Minamoto 
and  his  men  cautiously  explored  the  tunnel.  All  was 
silence  save  for  the  drip  of  water  from  walls  and  roof. 


The  Triumph  407 

At  the  end  of  the  passage  glimmered  a  strange,  un- 
earthly light.  Groping  slowly  forward  they  discovered 
that  it  came  from  an  opening  inside  of  the  fortifications. 

Suddenly  the  light  is  eclipsed  and  the  tramp  of  feet 
echoes  through  the  rocky  corridor. 

"Fix  bayonets!"  rasps  Minamoto,  drawing  his  sword. 

Alarmed  by  the  noise  the  burly  moujiks  pause. 

Before  they  can  recover,  crash  the  Japanese  rifles 
and  with  a  wild  "Banzai!"  Minamoto's  men  rush 
blindly  forward. 

In  the  bowels  of  the  Dragon  they  fought  a  bloody 
fight. 

The  front  rank  of  Russians  fall  like  grain  beneath  the 
scythe.  Over  their  bodies  springs  Minamoto,  his  men 
following  like  a  pack  of  hounds.  Shouting,  lunging,  and 
slashing  they  fling  themselves  upon  their  foes. 

The  air  is  black  with  a  thick  curtain_of  smoke. 
Through  the  sombre  pall  flashes  unceasingly  the  fiery 
avalanche  of  death. 

Above  the  rattle  of  rifles  and  swish  of  bullets  re- 
sounds the  triumphant  war-cry : 

"Banzai!    Banzai!    Nippon!" 

The  firing  ceases.  The  few  remaining  Russians  save 
themselves  in  a  frenzied  rush  to  the  mouth  of  the  gallery. 

Minamoto  turns,  restrains  his  men,  and  goes  to  the 

telephone: 

"We  have  driven  them  out,  General,  but  they  will 
come  back.  Wait  no  longer,  but  set  off  the  mine!' 


408  Old  Japan 

Scarcely  had  he  quitted  the  transmitter  when  a  blast 
of  blinding  flame  rent  the  tunnel  with  sudden  convulsion 
— then  all  was  dark ! 

For  hours  Minamoto  lay  unconscious.  When  he 
came  to  himself  it  was  night.  Around  him  was  the  vast 
plain  alive  with  hostile  trenches.  Above  loomed  the 
shattered  fortress,  its  casemates  still  bristling  with 
Russian  cannon.  But  over  it,  fluttering  triumphantly 
from  the  topmost  tower,  waved  the  blood-red  banner 
of  the  Rising  Sun! 

All  was  silent,  save  for  the  intermittent  boom  of  dis- 
tant batteries.  From  time  to  time  gaunt,  silver  search- 
lights gashed  the  sky  with  sudden  gleams;  then  quickly 
melted  into  dusk. 

Straining  his  eyes  he  caught  sight  of  vague,  shadowy 
shapes  groping  in  the  gloom.  They  were  dragging 
after  them  limp  bodies  to  shallow  trenches  which  they 
barely  covered  with  a  few  spadefuls  of  earth. 

Minamoto  strove  to  crawl  toward  them,  but  so  intense 
was  his  agony  that  he  fell  again  into  unconsciousness. 

With  dawn  the  hell  of  battle  burst  anew.  Bullets 
and  shells  whizzed  over  him,  and  he  fell  motionless, 
feigning  death. 

About  him  lay  the  dead  and  wounded,  numberless 
as  flies  in  summer.  Anguish-tossed  arms  writhed 
vainly  in  air.  Burly  backs  bent  in  the  last  throes  of 
torture  and  despair. 


The  Triumph  409 

He  thought  of  his  lost  comrades,  the  dear  ones  waiting 
for  his  return,  and  his  heart  was  faint  with  the  agony  of 
defeat. 

Consumed  with  hunger  and  parched  with  thirst  he 
managed  to  find  a  water-bottle  and  a  few  biscuits  in 
the  pockets  of  a  dead  comrade  and  thus  he  lived. 

Toward  sunset  there  was  a  lull  in  the  din  of  battle. 
Calm  brooded  over  the  vast  and  peaceless  sea. 

Suddenly  from  the  Russian  trenches  crashed  a  blaz- 
ing volley,  like  lightning  out  of  a  clear  sky. 

They  were  shooting  the  wounded  in  order  that  their 
rotting  corpses  might  infect  the  Japanese  trenches. 

The  sun  went  down,  a  murky  ball  of  blood,  and  the 
stars  peered  out  mistily  over  that  interminable  sea  of 
wounded  and  dead. 

All  night  he  crawled,  dragging  himself  a  few  feet  at  a 
time  painfully  onward  toward  his  own  lines.  In  the 
inky  gloom,  illuminated  only  by  the  intermittent 
flashes  of  the  searchlights,  he  could  not  see  in  which 
direction  he  was  going.  He  only  knew  that  it  was 
downward.  So  down  he  went. 

At  dawn  he  came  upon  a  deserted  Russian  dug-out, 
where  he  found  a  dying  comrade.  The  man  was  too  far 
gone  to  speak  but  pointed  his  fingers  appealingly  to 
his  throat.  Minamoto  opened  his  water-bottle  and 
poured  the  last  remaining  drops  between  the  lips  of  his 
grateful  comrade. 

Scarcely  had  he  finished  when  a  bulky  figure  skulked 


410  Old  Japan 

into  the  dug-out.  Its  eyes  were  shadowed  by  a  great 
visored  cap;  but  Minamoto  recognized  the  bristly, 
red  beard  of  Ivanovitch. 

An  ear-splitting  crack  from  the  revolver  of  the  Russian 
and,  through  the  blinding  smoke,  the  wounded  Japanese 
could  be  discerned,  the  top  of  his  head  gone,  the  water- 
bottle  still  clenched  in  his  teeth. x 

Minamoto  felt  a  quick  twinge  in  his  left  shoulder. 
The  blood  trickled  through  his  khaki  coat.  A  bullet 
had  entered  his  body  near  the  heart;  but,  striking  the 
iris-talisman  grazed  his  side  with  a  jagged  furrow. 
Instantly  he  dropped  and  lay  motionless  as  death. 

Ivanovitch  sneaked  up  to  the  two  Japanese,  whom 
he  thought  dead,  hastily  rifled  their  pockets,  and  was 
gone. 

Crazed  with  hunger  and  thirst,  dead  with  fatigue, 
faint  with  suffering,  Minamoto  lay,  for  how  long  he  did 
not  know,  in  the  filthy  dug-out.  It  must  have  been 
for  days,  for  when  he  woke  one  morning  worms  crawled 
in  his  wounds.  Tearing  off  the  shirt  of  his  dead 
comrade  he  bandaged  himself  as  best  he  might.  Then 
severing  an  artery  in  his  own  arm,  he  slaked  his  thirst 
and  lived. 

Resolute  to  the  last  the  little  warrior  began  again  his 
heroic  struggle  to  gain  the  Japanese  lines.  A  few  yards 
each  night,  crawling  always  downward,  he  dragged  his 

1  Richard  Barry,  the  American  War  Correspondent,  has  given  a  vivid 
picture  of  this  authentic  incident  in  his  Port  Arthur. 


The  Triumph  41 1 

pitiful  way  through  the  bloody  shambles.  Deafened, 
starved  and  paralysed,  after  a  week  of  untold  suffering 
he  tumbled  one  night  into  a  Japanese  trench. 

The  next  day  Port  Arthur  fell.    What  did  death 
matter  ?    Nippon  had  triumphed  at  last ! 

IV 

"THE  GREAT,  RED  DEATH" 
Hana  San 

The  soul  of  the  brook  was  rife  with  Spring. 

Sweet  was  its  song  as  a  dream  of  love, 
As  Hana  San,  like  a  dove  its  wing, 

Preened  her  plumage  the  pool  above. 

Peering  down  at  her  semblance  sweet, 
She  smiled  to  her  sister  so  young  and  fair, 

With  the  light  of  Noon  on  her  flower-like  feet, 
And  the  dusk  of  Night  in  her  dew-drenched  hair. 

Then  a  sudden  fear  bedimmed  her  eyes, 
With  the  lustrous  mist  of  a  midnight  star; 

And  her  heart  was  sad  with  a  vague  surmise 
As  she  thought  of  her  lord  away  at  war. 

Then  she  smiled  again  with  a  wistful  sigh, 
Like  the  wind  of  eve  in  the  cherry  bloom, 

And  whispered:  "Thus,  when  my  Lord  is  nigh, 
Will  I  smile  to  thee  through  the  starry  gloom." 

Then  she  blushed  again  at  her  image  shy, 
As  flowery-bright  as  the  month  of  May, 

And  fluttered  forth,  like  a  butterfly 

On  the  fragrant  breeze  of  a  summer  day. 


412  Old  Japan 

Her  soul  was  white  as  a  lotus  bloom. 

Her  smile  was  the  song  of  the  stars  above. 
Her  heart  was  light  as  a  wind-blown  plume, 

Though  her  eyes  were  wet  with  the  tears  of  love.1 

Hana  San  wept  for  joy.  "Make  not  honourable 
tear-droppings,"  pleaded  the  little  nezan  peering  into 
the  pale  face  of  her  mistress. 

"Look  me  in  those  eye, "  she  said  savagely.  "What 
those  shameless  tears  on  eye-winks?  Shall  Honourable 
Husband  think  you  sawry  of  his  return?" 

0  Hana  San  smiled  courageously.   "I  sawry!   I  make 
weeping !    That's  one  bad  lie, "  she  flashed  indignantly. 

"I  heard  you,"  insisted  the  maid.  "You  made 
nose-bubblings  when  you  look  in  pool,  lig  this,"  and 
she  gurgled  in  realistic  mimicry. 

Iris  Blossom  tossed  her  head  haughtily: 

"Those  bubbling  not  me,"  she  denied  wrathfully, 
"liddle  silly  frog.  Saay,  you  gon'  tole  my  Minamoto, 
I  keel  you.  Speak,  what  you  gon'  tole  him?  Speak!" 

"Nawthing,"  laughed  the  maid,  "I  only  gon'  tell  him 
those  blub-blub  tear-drops  just  is  frogs,  only  liddle  frogs 
in  pool." 

Hana  San  smiled  between  her  tears. 

They  gave  Minamoto  back  to  her  alive,  with  only  a 
bullet-wound  in  the  breast.  They  gave  him  back,  but 
not  to  keep. 

1  Transcribed  from  Yone  Noguchi. 


Make  not  honourable  tear-droppings,"  pleaded  the  little  nezan, 
peering  into  the  pale  face  of  her  mistress 


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The  Triumph 

Skilled  surgery,  Hana  San's  faithful  nursing,  and  rest 
would  soon  put  him  in  shape  to  go  again. 
.  The  same  grim  sacrifice  must  be  endured  anew. 

Was  it  not  enough  that  her  husband  had  been 
wounded?  Must  he  give  his  life  for  the  Mikado? 
Must  he  die  "the  great  red  death?" 

One  day  the  call  came.  The  Russian  fleet  was  slowly 
creeping  along  the  southern  coast  of  China,  seeking  to 
escape  to  Vladivostok.  Minamoto  was  appointed  to  a 
secret  mission,  the  command  of  the  Japanese  wireless 
stations.  He  was  to  give  warning  of  the  approach  of 
the  Russian  ships. 

A  message  in  Russian  cipher  had  been  picked  up. 
A  destroyer  was  placed  under  his  orders;  from  sta- 
tion to  station  he  cruised,  and  at  last  discovered  the 
mysterious  operator. 

A  bleak  and  barren  islet  off  the  southernmost  coast  of 
Kyushu. 

Battered  ceaselessly  by  wind  and  wave,  uninhabited 
save  by  sea-fowl,  a  jutting  cliff  thrust  its  desolate  pin- 
nacles into  the  leaden  sky.  Upon  a  beetling  crag  perched 
a  hovel  trembling  in  the  teeth  of  a  driving  gale.  Through 
crevices  in  wall  and  roof  came  gusts  of  hail,  while  the 
lulls  in  the  deafening  tumult  were  rife  with  wailing  of 
wind-swept  wires. 

Huddling  over  a  smouldering  brazier  crouched  Mina- 
moto and  Tacita.  All  night  long  had  they  vainly 
watched  for  the  coming  of  the  Russian  fleet. 


414  Old  Japan 

Minamoto  swept  the  horizon  with  his  glass,  striving 
to  penetrate  the  murk.  The  moon  rose,  and  above  the 
shrouding  mist  he  caught  a  pall  of  black  smoke.  He 
drew  in  his  breath  sharply: 

"At  last,"  he  cried,  "they  have  come!" 

Snatching  the  glass,  Tacita  saw,  dimly  outlined 
against  the  sky,  the  masts  and  funnels  of  the  Russian 
scout  division. 

"Only  three  ships!"  she  sighed  dispiritedly. 

"Look  again!"  called  Minamoto,  "the  entire  fleet  is 
following." 

He  sprang  to  the  transmitter;  short — long,  long — 
short,  spluttered  out  the  crackling  flame. 

Through  leagues  of  space  it  leaped,  twixt  sky  and 
sea,  till  it  reached  the  receiving  station  on  Togo's  flag- 
ship. 

"Which  passage  will  the  Russian  fleet  take?"  asked 
Tacita,  striving  vainly  to  disguise  her  interest. 

Minamoto  quitted  his  instrument  and  eyed  her 
furtively  through  slanted  lids. 

"I  have  just  reported  to  Admiral  Togo  that  the  Rus- 
sians are  headed  for  the  Western  passage, "  he  lied  de- 
liberately. "Remain  here.  I  must  join  my  squadron 
at  Tsushima." 

Without  waiting  a  reply  he  left  the  hut. 

Hardly  had  he  crossed  the  threshold  when  she  sprang 
to  the  key-board  and  flashed  a  message  in  Russian 
cipher: 


The  Triumph  415 

To  CAPTAIN  IVANOVITCH,  on  board  flag-ship  Suvaroff: 

Take  eastern  passage.  Japanese  fleet  lies  in  wait  west 
of  Tsushima! 

TACITA. 

Suddenly  a  shadow  fell  across  the  table.  Tacita 
turned  and  met  the  inscrutable  smile  of  Minamoto. 

"Do  not  think  I  am  unaware  of  the  game  you're 
playing,"  he  said  as  he  carefully  removed  the  key. 

"Ah!  You  are  not  so  crafty  as  you  think,"  she 
laughed.  "Our  fleet  will  now  get  through  to  Vladi- 
vostok!" 

"On  the  contrary  your  message  has  insured  our  vic- 
tory. You  have  drawn  the  Russian  fleet  into  a  trap. 
It  will  be  annihilated. " 

"Yellow  devil!"  she  shrieked,  "give  me  that  key!" 
Tacita  sprang  at  Minamoto  and  strove  to  wrest  it  from 
his  hand. 

He  threw  her  to  the  floor. 

"Spy!"  he  sneered,  "now  that  you  have  sent  my 
message  I  have  no  further  need  of  you. " 

"Will  you  kill  me?"  she  gasped. 

"No,  merely  deliver  you  to  justice,"  he  shrugged. 
"I  am  not  a  murderer." 

She  clasped  his  knees  in  piteous  appeal. 

"Spare  me,"  she  pleaded,  "and  I  will  serve  Japan 
as  I  have  served  Russia.  In  mercy  do  not  deliver  me 
to  death!" 

Minamoto  smiled  inexorably. 


416  Old  Japan 

"It  is  useless,"  he  shrugged.  "You  have  played  a 
desperate  game  and  have  lost. — Go !  let  me  never  look 
upon  your  face  again!" 

V 

YAMATO  DAMASHI 

Annihilation 

Like  Athens  in  her  first  dread  hour  of  need, 
On  that  eventful  day  of  days  long  past, 
When  on  the  plain  at  Marathon  she  massed 

Her  little  phalanx  'gainst  the  whelming  Mede, 

And,  by  the  might  of  great  Miltiades, 
Shattered  at  Salamis  their  triremes  fast 
Till  naught  remained  of  that  armada  vast; 

So  Togo  swept  the  Tartar  from  the  sea! 

A  greater  glory  yours  than  golden  Greece, 

Whose  Spartans  met  the  Medes  to  their  dismay, 

For  you  have  sunk  beneath  Tsushima's  seas    . 
Fore'er  the  Tartar  horde  upon  this  day, 

As  when  of  yore  the  war-junks  of  the  Khan 

You  wrecked  upon  the  reefs  of  old  Japan. 

(MINAMOTO'S  STORY) 

Scarcely  had  I  boarded  my  destroyer  when  a  shell  hurtled 
overhead,  exploding  upon  impact  with  the  water  in  a 
geyser  that  drenched  me  to  the  bone.  I  gave  the  order: 
"Full  speed!"  and  away  we  leapt,  a  great  wave  over  our 
whaleback. 

Through  the  mist  I  made  out  the  scouting  division  of  the 
Russian  flotilla  headed  toward  us.  As  we  raced  on,  their 
twelve-pound  projectiles  splashed  and  ricochetted  about  us 
like  hail  upon  a  roof. 


The  Triumph  417 

We  crammed  in  the  coal,  gradually  drew  away  and  re- 
joined our  own  division  off  Tsushima  in  the  early  forenoon. 

Shortly  after  midday  the  main  body  of  the  Russian  fleet 
loomed  dimly  through  the  mist.  As  they  approached, 
Admiral  Togo  ran  up  the  signal:  "The  fate  of  the  Empire 
is  at  stake.  Let  each  man  do  his  utmost,"  and  the  entire 
fleet  went  into  action. 

Our  battle-ships,  the  Mikasa,  Shikishima,  Fuji,  Asahi,  and 
A  chin  headed  southward  in  a  manoeuvre,  feigning  to  cross 
the  enemy's  bows. 

"Now  the  game  is  on,"  I  said  to  myself,  hastening  to  the 
bridge. 

The  main  squadron,  followed  by  six  cruisers,  bore  steadily 
down  upon  the  head  of  the  enemy's  column.  As  our  flag- 
ship crossed  their  bows  she  veered  abruptly  and  turned  to 
the  east. 

Suddenly  the  Suvaroff  fired  the  opening  shot  and  the  guns 
of  the  entire  Russian  and  Japanese  fleets  thundered  forth. 

I  glanced  sternwards  where  the  white  wake  of  the  pro- 
peller seethed  in  the  blue. 

The  first  shells  shrieked  above  us. 

"Look  out!"  shouted  one  of  my  crew,  and  at  the  same 
instant  a  shell  splintered  into  a  thousand  fragments,  and 
the  man's  head  was  gone.  He  tottered  a  moment,  then  fell 
to  the  deck  drenching  me  with  his  blood.  A  comrade  sprang 
to  his  place  and  grasped  the  reeking  handle  of  the  Maxim. 

We  had  changed  our  course  and  now  had  a  Russian  de- 
stroyer upon  our  port  side.  It  was  so  close  that  the  flames 
from  its  belching  funnels  and  quick-firers  blinded  our  eyes. 

More  projectiles  burst  about  us  and  a  gigantic  pillar  of 
water,  smoke,  and  flame  surged  over  us,  sweeping  men  and 
ammunition  before  it.  The  destroyer  heeled  over,  slowly 
righted  herself,  and  I  saw  where  had  been  the  Oslyabya 
only  a  wreath  of  seething  foam. 

Foul,  hissing,  and  slimy  the  Russian  destroyer  closed  on 


418  Old  Japan 

us  like  some  obscene  sea-dragon.  Her  ugly  crew  stood 
with  drawn  swords  ready  to  spring.  As  they  jumped, 
suddenly  I  put  over  the  helm. 

With  a  sharp  jerk  we  slid  by  them  tearing  away  rails  and 
grinding  to  pulp  all  who  had  not  fallen  into  the  sea. 

Then  I  noticed  that  the  Suvarqff  in  great  distress  had 
left  the  line. 

So  battered  that  she  had  lost  all  semblance  to  the  flag- 
ship which  had  lately  led  the  fleet,  enveloped  in  smoke  and 
flame,  her  funnels  gone,  her  masts  toppling  one  after  the 
other,  her  steering-gear  demolished,  she  was  drifting  help- 
lessly. 

Yet,  in  even  that  pitiable  condition,  with  our  torpedo 
flotilla  worrying  her  like  a  pack  of  wolves,  she  did  not  sur- 
render, but  kept  on  firing  her  last  gun,  which  still  nosed 
defiantly  from  its  turret. 

We  were  still  pouring  shot  into  the  almost  defenceless 
flag-ship  when  someone  cried:  "The  fleet  is  returning!" 

Our  main  squadron  had  forced  the  enemy  to  the  south, 
and  for  a  time  they  had  been  lost  in  the  fog.  Headed  off 
by  Kamimura  they  were  drifting  about  in  a  circle,  while 
our  ships  moved  on  a  parallel  and  larger  arc,  constantly 
crashing  the  sides  of  our  helpless  victims. 

The  Alexander,  which  had  now  assumed  command,  badly 
battered  and  with  a  heavy  list  to  port,  had  taken  the  lead, 
still  fighting,  though  her  bows  were  torn  open  and  the  water 
entered  the  lower  port-holes. 

A  great  cruiser  followed,  a  blazing  torch  from  conning- 
tower  to  scuppers. 

A  vision  of  the  Inferno  it  swept  by,  her  sister  ships  out- 
lined black  and  sinister  against  the  western  sky. 

A  blood-red  sun  peered  blearily  through  the  murk.  A 
brisk  southerly  breeze  lashed  the  surface  of  the  sea.  Our 
main  squadron  drew  off  setting  rendezvous  for  the  following 
morning  at  a  point  forty  miles  south  of  the  Ulneung  Islands. 

27 


The  Triumph  419 

As  dusk  deepened  into  night  notwithstanding  the  strong 
wind  and  choppy  sea,  vying  with  each  other  our  torpedo- 
flotilla  stood  out,  swarming  like  wasps  about  the  doomed 
ships. 

My  destroyer  was  the  first  to  open  fire,  hugging  the  sleek 
hulk  of  the  Suvaroff  so  closely  that  she  could  not  depress  her 
guns,  to  reach  us. 

Her  shells  wheeled  in  fiery  arches  above  our  smoke-stacks, 
bursting  harmlessly  as  they  struck  the  water. 

My  first  torpedo  went  wide,  but  the  second  exploded 
under  her  bow,  detonating  her  forward  torpedoes,  and  shat- 
tering the  entire  bow  of  the  great  dreadnought. 

The  havoc  was  ghastly.  Panic  seized  the  seared  and 
bleeding  crew.  Clouds  of  black  smoke  belched  from  the 
hull.  She  listed  heavily  to  port,  but  her  one  last  gun  still 
flamed  defiantly  from  its  turret. 

A  great,  red-bearded  Russian  stood  upon  the  bridge,  drunk 
with  vodka  and  battle-lust.  He  ignored  my  call  to  "Sur- 
render!" shaking  his  fist  in  impotent  fury.  A  fragment  of 
shell  had  laid  open  his  cheek  and  his  face  was  black  with 
blood,  but  even  thus  I  could  not  fail  to  recognize  Ivanovitch. 

He  knew  me  too,  letting  out  a  volley  of  vile  invective  as 
I  sent  my  third  torpedo.  It  took  her  amidships.  With 
a  blast  of  steam  the  boilers  exploded.  With  a  sudden  plunge 
she  keeled  over  and  the  dauntless  flag-ship  sank  in  the 
heaving  sea. 

All  night  long  we  cruised  from  one  sinking  vessel  to 
another  rescuing  our  drowning  foes;  but  found  no  sign  of 
the  dead  Ivanovitch. 

Morning  dawned.  The  sea  was  smooth,  heaving  in 
great  oily  swells.  A  light  wind  tore  the  fog-rack  into  flying 
scud. 

Through  the  drifting  haze  I  made  out  a  Russian  destroyer 
and  hastened  after  it  in  hot  pursuit. 

A  sister  Japanese  destroyer  had  sighted  the  quarry,  and 


420  Old  Japan 

was  steering  a  course  parallel  to  mine.  It  was  to  be  a  race 
not  only  to  overtake  the  Russian  but  also  to  outspeed  my 
emulous  sister  craft. 

"Full  speed  ahead!"  I  signalled  the  engine-room. 

The  stokers  threw  in  coal  and  we  leaped  forward  like  a 
race-horse  under  the  lash. 

Gradually  we  outdistanced  our  consort,  and  the  field 
between  us  and  our  target  diminished  till  we  were  within 
quick-firer  range. 

Suddenly  a  forward  gun  rang  out  as  I  signalled: 

"Stop,  or  I'll  sink  you!" 

A  great  geyser  burst  before  the  bows  of  my  quarry  but  she 
kept  obstinately  on. 

Another  shot  rang  from  our  twelve-pounder  and  a  smoke- 
stack toppled  into  the  sea. 

She  slackened  speed  and,  as  my  gunner  awaited  the 
order  to  send  her  to  the  bottom,  she  ran  up  a  white  flag. 

She  was  the  Biedvi  with  Admiral  Roshdestvensky  and  his 
staff  on  board. 

On  the  bridge  stood  the  admiral,  nervously  clenching  the 
hand-rail;  the  battle-light  no  longer  gleamed  in  his  lack- 
lustre eyes.  He  had  been  grievously  wounded,  how  badly 
none  knew. 

"Your  Excellency,  you  are  my  prisoner,"  I  said  respect- 
fully. 

A  momentary  flash  of  consciousness  illumined  his  pallid 
face,  then  he  lapsed  into  sullen  lethargy. 

Lashing  together  a  sling  from  some  hammocks  we 
lowered  him  carefully  to  the  deck. 

"Push  off!"  I  shouted.     "Full  speed  ahead!" 

A  rousing  "Banzai!"  rang  from  my  little  comrades. 

By  the  grace  of  the  Heaven-descended  Emperor,  and  our 
good  gunnery,  we  had  gained  the  victory!1 

'Admiral  Togo,  in  his  official  report,  ascribed  all  credit  to  the 
"  protecting  spirits  of  the  Imperial  Ancestors." 


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From  "  The  Japanese  Nation  in  Evolution,"  by  Wm.  Elliot  Griffis,  D.D. 
Permission  Thos.  Y.  Crowell,  Publishers,  N.  Y. 


The  Triumph  421 

VI 

BANZAI   NIPPON! 

The  Musmee 

The  Musmee  has  brown-velvet  eyes, 

Curtained  with  satin,  sleepily; 

You  wonder  if  those  lids  would  rise 

The  newest,  strangest  sight  to  see! 

Yet,  when  she  chatters,  laughs,  or  plays 

Koto,  or  lute,  or  samisen — 

No  jewel  gleams  with  brighter  rays 

Than  flash  from  those  dark  lashes  then.     • 

The  Musmee  has  a  small  brown  face — 

Musk-melon  seed  its  perfect  shape — 

Arched,  jetty  eyebrows;  nose  to  grace 

The  rosy  mouth  beneath ;  a  nape, 

And  neck,  and  chin,  and  smooth  soft  cheeks, 

Carved  out  of  sun-burned  ivory; 

With  teeth  which,  when  she  smiles  or  speaks, 

Pearl  merchants  might  come  leagues  to  see! 

The  Musmee' s  hair  could  teach  the  night 
How  to  grow  dark,  the  raven's  wing 
How  to  seem  ebon;  grand  the  sight 
When  in  rich  masses  towering, 
She  builds  each  high  black-marble  coil, 
And  binds  the  gold  and  scarlet  in, 
And  thrusts,  triumphant,  through  the  toil 
The  Kanzashi,  her  jewelled  pin. 

FROM  "  JAPONICA  "  BY  SIR  EDWIN  ARNOLD 


422  Old  Japan 

Tokyo,  mother-city  of  Japan,  beautiful  Tokyo,  bright 
with  cherry  blossom  and  wistaria,  gay  with  the  laughter 
of  two  million  joyous  inhabitants! 

Uyeno  Park,  its  shadowy  avenues  and  sequestered 
shrines  teem  with  throngs  of  merrymakers,  and  the 
fragrant  air  is  rife  with  the  tinkle  of  samisen  from  en- 
vironing tea-houses.  A  lotus  lake  dimples  the  forest  vale, 
like  the  smile  of  a  Nippon  maid,  its  myriad  ripples  alive 
with  laughter  of  the  breeze.  A  million  babies  crow  and 
bubble  in  irrepressible  joy.  A  million  mothers  croon 
and  coo  in  overweening  pride.  The  first  blossoms  of 
spring  have  burst  into  full  bloom  of  summer.  Tokyo, 
Mother  of  Japan,  has  donned  her  mantle  of  glory. 

I  am  lounging  on  the  wistaria-bowered  veranda  of 
Minamoto's  dainty  doll-house. 

"He  will  soon  return,"  smiles  O  Hana  San.  He  is 
attending  a  grand  military  festival  at  the  Imperial 
palace. 

So  I  wait  and  dream  through  the  blue  mist  of  a  cigar, 
while  Tokyo  decked  en  gala  surges  through  the  flowery 
park  in  an  ecstasy  of  triumph. 

The  distant  throb  of  many  bands  slowly  swells  to  a 
tumultuous  blare  and  mingled  with  the  roar  of  a  thou- 
sand throats  thunders  forth  the  national  anthem. 

Here  they  come,  Nippon's  little  heroes,  gentle  boys 
with  the  smile  of  girls,  but  every  one  a  samurai. 

A  myriad  flags  flutter  riotously  in  the  air,  children 
wave  blossoming  sprays,  fair  musmees  serve  tea  and 


The  Triumph  423 

cakes,  running  beside  the  marching  columns,  civilians 
shower  them  with  cigarettes,  cheering  in  one  continuous 
roar  of  jubilation. 

The  crowd  thickens;  it  pours  through  the  gate,  fills 
the  garden,  and  surges  against  the  cottage,  a  resistless 
flood. 

As  Minamoto  mounts  the  steps  their  enthusiasm 
bursts  all  bounds. 

"Banzai!  Banzai  Nippon!"  they  roar  in  joyous 
pandemonium. 

He  turns  and  bows.  They  catch  sight  of  the  "Im- 
perial order  of  the  Rising  Sun"  gleaming  upon  his 
breast. 

Again  the  welkin  rings  with  interminable  "Banzais. " 
The  house  rocks  as  with  an  earthquake.  Blushing  like 
a  schoolboy  Minamoto  modestly  acknowledges  their 
welcome. 

Dusk  falls,  the  throng  has  scattered.    0  Hana  San 
smilingly  serves  the  tea. 
She  strums  her  samisen  and  sings: 

My  soul  is  light  as  a  wind-blown  plume. 

My  song  is  the  song  of  the  stars  above. 
My  heart  is  bright  as  a  lotus-bloom 

Though  my  eyes  are  dim  with  the  tears  of  love. 

On  the*  mat  squirms  a  plump  little  babe  in  irresistible 
nude  spankableness. 


424  Old  Japan 

The  young  mother  lifts  her  drowsy  son  and  nestles 
him  to  her  heart.  She  smiles  upon  her  husband  in 
wistful,  voiceless  love.  A  tear  glistens  on  her  cheek. 
0  Hana  San  weeps  for  joy! 

Sayonara  Nippon 

Very  sadly  did  I  leave  it,  but  I  gave  my  heart  in  pledge 
To  the  pine  above  the  city,  to  the  blossoms  by  the  hedge, 
To  the  cherry  and  the  maple  and  the  plum  tree  and  the 

peach,   . 

And  the  babies — Oh,  the  babies!  romping  fatly  under  each. 
Eastward  ho !    Across  the  water  see  the  black  bow  drives 

and  swings 
From  the  land  of  Little  Children,  where  the  Babies  are  the 

Kings. 

RUDYARD  KIPLING. 


"  A  mossy  roof  whose  graceful  sweeping  lines 
Repeat  the  pendant  branches  of  the  pines  " 


"  A  lonely  belfry  shrined  in  shadowy  foliage  " 

Narrative  of  Expedition  to  Japan  by  Commodore  M.  C.  Perry 
W.  Heine,  U.  S.  Government  Report 


CHAPTER  XIV 

NOTABLE  EXAMPLES  OF  JAPANESE  ARCHITECTURE 
The  Ruined  Temple 

The  glistening  rain-drops  lend  deep  velvet  hues 
To  mossy  roofs,  whose  graceful  sweeping  lines 
Repeat  the  pendant  branches  of  the  pines, 

Which  stretch  in  silent  shadowed  avenues, 

Sharp  silhouetted  'gainst  the  sky's  deep  blues, 
Leading  to  lonely  and  neglected  shrines 
Where  golden  lacquer  now  but  dimly  shines, 

Whose  gods  no  priest  invokes  or  suppliant  sues. 

Forgotten  gods  in  their  recesses  dim 
That  no  one  longer  either  fears  or  loves, 

And  yet  for  homage  do  not  wait  in  vain, 
Nude  children  dance  about  the  fountains'  rim, 
Peace  broods  o'er  all  the  place,  and  cooing  doves 
Seek  shelter  in  the  temples  from  the  rain. 

OF  all  Japanese  arts  her  architecture,  the  most  com- 
prehensive and  significant,  has  been  least  under- 
stood and  still  less  appreciated. 

The  majority  of  Western  writers  have  characterized 
it  as  frail,  fantastic  and  monotonous,  and  have  dis- 

425 


426  Old  Japan 

missed  it  with  a  perfunctory  tribute  to  its  ornate  decora- 
tion. Nor  is  this  strange,  since  the  architecture  of  the 
Orient  is  as  far  removed  from  that  of  the  Occident  as 
the  diametric  poles  of  their  respective  civilizations. 

Not  only  must  it  be  judged  as  the  most  consummate 
example  of  wood  construction,  but  as  the  supreme 
artistic  embodiment  of  Buddhism  and  "The  Soul  of  the 
East."  A  conscientious  analyst  will  find  in  the 
architecture  of  Japan  one  of  the  most  perfect  examples 
of  the  evolution  through  twelve  centuries  of  a  style  that 
the  world  has  ever  seen,  an  art  not  less  sincerely  inspired 
than  the  Medieval  Gothic  or  the  Golden  Age  of  Greece. 

Professor  Fenollosa,  the  well  known  art  critic,  says: 
"It  is  not  enough  to  approach  these  delicate  children  of 
the  spirit  with  the  eye  of  mere  curiosity,  or  the  cold, 
rigid  standard  of  an  alien  school.  One's  heart  must  be 
large  enough  to  learn  to  love  as  the  Japanese  artist 
loves,  before  the  veil  can  be  lifted  to  the  full  splendour 
of  their  hidden  beauties." 

Primarily  the  architecture  of  Japan  owes  its  individ- 
uality to  the  volcanic  nature  of  the  country  and  the 
frequent  earthquakes.  Its  temples  have  been  built  for 
over  a  thousand  years  upon  non-rigid  foundations,  the 
wooden  columns  being  set  in  ball-and-socket  joints  upon 
a  masonry  base.  This  renders  the  frames  elastic,  so 
that  after  an  earthquake  they  resume  their  place  with 
little  damage. 

The  heavy  overhanging  roofs  weigh  down  the  struc- 


<a 
•o 


Its  delicately  curved  roofs  of  green-grey  tiles  and  dull  vermilion  framework  remain 
today  unequalled  in  Japan" 

With  permission  of  the  Department  of  Education,  Tokyo,  J»P«n 

"  The  Golden  Pavilion  " 


"  From  its  gently  curving  eaves  hang  corroded  bells,  that  tinkle  with  the  breeze 


Notable  Japanese  Architecture       427 

tures  and  assist  in  their  stability,  while  the  complicated 
corbellings  and  dove-tailed  frame-work  distribute  the 
shock  into  an  infinite  number  of  light  vibrations. 

In  the  lofty  pagodas  is  a  well  (a  full  one  hundred 
feet  high)  in  which  a  great  beam  hangs,  suspended  from 
the  topmost  rafter,  which  acts  as  a  pendulum,  and  by 
its  great  weight  retards  the  movement  during  seismic 
disturbances. 

Legend  tells  that  the  architect  who  first  conceived 
this  clever  device  was  poisoned  by  his  jealous  rival. 
Those  were  happy  days  when  artists  met  with  such 
supreme  appreciation! 

Horiuji 

Painted  pagodas  lift  their  lofty  spires 
O'er  billowy  clouds  of  cryptomeria  green, 
Thrusting  their  storied  roofs  of  silvery  sheen 

And  vague  vermilion  eaves,  like  smouldering  fires, 

Faint  dying  embers  of  forgotten  pyres, 

With  scythe-like  sweep  into  the  azure  keen; 
By  rays  of  molten  gold  the  magic  scene 

Illumined  dimly  as  the  day  expires. 

From  angle  rafters  hang  corroded  bells 

Dull  emerald  bronze,  soft-chiming  with  the  breeze. 

Before  the  temple's  golden-lacquered  cells 
Bald-pated  bonzes  chant  on  bended  knees, 

Where  sad-eyed  Shaka  sits  in  holy  gloom 

Enthroned  upon  a  giant  lotus  bloom. 

With  the  introduction  of  Buddhism  in  the  middle  of 
the  sixth  century  there  came  from  Korea  to  the  court 


428  Old  Japan 

of  Prince  Shotoku,  an  army  of  monks,  priests,  architects, 
and  sculptors  who  constructed  and  embellished  the 
famous  monastery  of  Horiuji  at  Nara,  the  first  notable 
example  of  Japanese  art. 

This  group  of  stately  structures  represents  not  alone 
the  birth  of  national  civilization  but  as  a  supreme  em- 
bodiment of  Korean  and  Chinese  art  still  remains  the 
most  perfect  monument  in  all  Asia,  the  type  from  which 
succeeding  Japanese  architecture  drew  its  origin. 

Entered  through  a  massive,  lofty  gate,  in  the  midst 
of  a  vast  court,  encircled  by  the  Kwairo  or  cloister, 
stand  the  temple,  lecture  hall,  and  pagoda,  with  minor 
halls,  temples,  shrines,  and  dwellings  of  the  priests. 
These  subordinate  buildings  have  been  reconstructed 
within  the  last  few  centuries,  but  with  great  fidelity  to 
the  original  Korean  work.  An  alteration  of  the  six- 
teenth century,  the  lower  stories  of  'the  Kondo  and 
Gojuto  mar  the  proportion  of  these  graceful  buildings; 
but,  in  spite  of  this,  their  delicately  curved  roofs  of  green- 
grey  tiles  and  dull  vermilion  framework  remain  today 
unequalled  in  Japan  in  simplicity  of  construction  and 
subtle  purity  of  line. 

Within  the  temples  are  the  most  ancient  treasures  of 
Korean  and  early  Japanese  sculpture,  and  the  walls  of 
the  Kondo  display  faded  mural  paintings  in  which 
Indian  influences  are  plainly  discernible. 

YAKUSHIJI 

A  century  later  the  first  native  architects  built  at 


Notable  Japanese  Architecture       429 

Yakushiji,  near  Nara,  a  pagoda  which  in  subtlety  of  line 
and  daring  of  design  is  perhaps  the  most  unique  in 
Japan.  In  place  of  the  rigid  symmetry  of  its  Korean 
prototype,  this  pagoda  lifts  its  graceful  roofs  in  a 
capricious  irregularity  characteristically  Japanese. 

This  charming  structure  marks  the  beginning  of-  a 
national  style,  and  exhibits  the  first  example  of  the 
double  brackets,  developed  in  later  periods  to  such  rich- 
ness and  elaboration  of  detail. 

Old  Nara 

0  cuckoo  of  the  ancient  city  great, 
Iso-no-kami;  now  thy  golden  lay 

Echoes  unheard  within  her  empty  gate, 
Singing  the  glory  of  a  vanished  day! 

KOKINSHIU. 

Little  remains  of  the  ancient  populous  city  of  Nara 
whose  hundreds  of  temples,  monasteries,  and  yashiki 
once  covered  an  area  of  thirty  square  miles.  Incessant 
wars  and  conflagrations  have  destroyed  all  the  import- 
ant buildings  of  its  early  civilization,  so  that  we  must 
look  elsewhere  for  examples  of  the  architecture  of  this 

period. 

After  the  passing  of  the  early  Korean  influence  during 
the  eighth  century  there  was  a  temporary  decline  in 
Japanese  art.  Of  this  period  only  the  small  and  primi- 
tive temples  of  the  Toshodaiji,  Todaiji,  and  Shinya- 
kushiji  remain. 


430  Old  Japan 

With  the  removal  of  the  court  to  Kyoto  in  the  ninth 
century  came  from  China  a  renaissance  of  Oriental 
civilization.  The  golden  age  of  learning,  philosophy, 
and  the  fine  arts  had  begun. 

UJI 

At  Uji  near  Kyoto  was  constructed  during  the  Fuji- 
wara  period  a  building,  the  Phoenix  Pavilion  of  the  Byo 
do-in,  which  in  refinement  of  proportion  and  purity  of 
style  is  unsurpassed  in  all  Japan. 

The  composition  consists  of  a  central  shrine  flanked 
by  two-storied  galleries  leading  to  end  pavilions.  Not 
the  least  of  its  charm  is  due  to  its  setting  in  the  midst  of 
lofty  trees  on  the  marge  of  a  lagoon,  which  mirrors  its 
fragile  balconies  in  inverted  grace. 

Lovely  as  is  its  exterior  the  sumptuousness  of  its 
splendid  interior  is  beyond  description.  What  it  must 
have  been  in  its  day  of  glory  we  may  only  imagine. 
After  eight  centuries  of  neglect  and  decay  it  still  remains 
a  masterpiece  of  grace  and  dignity. 

Its  carved  and  coffered  ceiling  is  inlaid  with  ivory, 
silver  and  mother-of-pearl  upon  a  background  of  black 
lacquer,  and  its  walls  glow  with  polychromatic  paintings 
and  the  glory  of  burnished  gold. 

KYOTO 

"Apart  from  St.  Mark's  in  Venice  and  the  Capella 


'So  § 

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Notable  Japanese  Architecture       431 

Palatina  in  Palermo,"  says  Ralph  Adams  Cram,  in  his 
Impressions  of  Japanese  Architecture,  "I  know  of  no 
religious  interiors  that  can  vie  with  such  caves  of  glory 
as  Chion-in. " 

Fragrant  incense,  great  golden  lotus,  vast  balda- 
chinos  of  beaten  filigree,  vestments  stiff  with  embroidery, 
sonorous  brazen  gongs,  weird  chanting  of  bald  bonzes- 
it  seems  a  vision  born  of  Nights  Arabian,  gorgeous,  un- 
earthly, inconceivable. 

Rudyard  Kipling  paints  it  with  his  bold  brush  in  the 
glowing  colours  of  Solomon's  Temple. 

"A  staircase  of  cut  stone  takes  you  down  to  the  temple  of 
Chion-in,  where  I  arrived  on  Easter  Sunday  just  before 
service,  and  in  time  to  see  the  procession  of  the  Cherry 
Blossom.  They  had  a  special  service  at  a  place  called  St. 
Peter's  at  Rome  about  the  same  time,  but  the  priests  of 
Buddha  excelled  the  priests  of  the  Pope.  Thus  it  happened. 
The  main  front  of  the  temple  was  three  hundred  feet  long, 
a  hundred  feet  deep,  and  sixty  feet  high.  One  roof  covered 
it  all,  and  saving  for  the  tiles  there  was  no  stone  in  the 
structure;  nothing  but  wood  three  hundred  years  old,  as 
hard  as  iron.  The  pillars  that  upheld  the  roof  were  three 
feet,  four  feet,  and  five  feet  in  diameter,  and  guiltless  of  any 
paint.  They  showed  the  natural  grain  of  the  wood  till 
they  were  lost  in  the  rich  brown  darkness  overhead.  The 
cross-beams  were  of  grained  wood  of  great  richness;  cedar- 
wood  and  camphor-wood  and  the  hearts  of  gigantic  pine 
had  been  put  under  requisition  for  the  great  work.  One 
carpenter — they  call  him  only  a  carpenter — had  designed 
the  whole,  and  his  name  is  remembered  to  this  day.  A  half 
of  the  temple  was  railed  off  for  the  congregation  by  a  two- 
foot  railing,  over  which  silks  of  ancient  device  had  been 


432  Old  Japan 

thrown.  Within  the  railing  were  all  the  religious  fittings, 
but  these  I  cannot  describe.  All  I  remember  was  row  upon 
row  of  little  lacquered  stands  each  holding  a  rolled  volume 
of  sacred  writings;  an  altar  as  tall  as  a  cathedral  organ  where 
gold  strove  with  colour,  colour  with  lacquer,  and  lacquer 
with  inlay,  and  candles  such  as  Holy  Mother  Church  uses 
only  on  her  greatest  days,  shed  a  yellow  light  that  softened 
all.  Bronze  incense-burners  in  the  likeness  of  dragons  and 
devils  fumed  under  the  shadow  of  silken  banners,  behind 
which,  wood  tracery,  as  delicate  as  frost  on  a  window-pane, 
climbed  to  the  ridge-pole.  Only  there  was  no  visible  roof 
to  this  temple.  The  light  faded  away  under  the  monstrous 
beams,  and  we  might  have  been  in  a  cave  a  hundred  fathoms 
below  the  earth  but  for  the  sunshine  and  blue  sky  at  the 
portals,  where  the  little  children  squabbled  and  shouted." 

KYOMIDZU-DERA 

Overhanging  a  deep  ravine,  blazing  with  autumn 
maples  and  swept  by  a  rushing  torrent,  upon  a  bulwark 
of  giant  piles,  looms  the  ancient  temple  of  Kyomidzu. 

Around  it  runs  a  portico  of  massive  wooden  pillars 
supporting  a  scythe-curved  roof  of  velvet  thatch. 
Beneath  this  purple  pall  hangs  a  buttressed  balcony 
commanding  an  exquisite  view  of  town  and  plain. 

From  this  balcony  jealous  husbands  of  long  syne 
were  wont  to  hurl  their  wives,  in  the  naive  belief  that  if 
innocent  they  would  survive  the  hundred -foot  fall  to 
the  rocks  below. 

Here  throughout  the  year  the  faithful  throng  to  wor- 
ship Kwannon  and  enjoy  the  eternal  pageant  of  earth 
and  sky. 


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Notable  Japanese  Architecture       433 

KAMAKURA   PERIOD 

Upon  the  overthrowing  of  the  Fujiwara  Shoguns,  at 
the  end  of  the  fourteenth  century,  the  Ashikaga  founded 
a  new  dynasty,  built  the  city  of  Kamakura,  and  in- 
augurated a  new  epoch  of  civilization. 

After  two  centuries  of  internecine  strife  the  arts  of 
peace  had  languished,  but  with  the  coming  of  the  Ashi- 
kaga a  recrudescence  of  Chinese  culture  swept  over  the 
land.  Representing  this  period  are  two  types  of  struc- 
ture, the  pseudo-Chinese  temples  of  the  Zen  sect,  and 
the  Imperial  pleasure  pavilions  of  the  Kinkaku-ji  and 
Ginkaku-ji  near  Kyoto.  Of  the  former,  the  vast  seven- 
teenth century  monastery  of  Obaku-san  is  an  imposing 
monument  of  the  classical  Chinese  type.  In  these 
buildings  the  long,  low  eaves  of  the  Korean  type  are 
supplanted  by  steep  and  lofty  roofs  supported  by  intri- 
cate bracketings.  The  temple,  almost  square  in  plan, 
is  set  on  a  stone  terrace  and  consists  of  a  central  nave 
rising  into  the  roof,  surrounded  by  aisles,  on  one  side  of 
which  are  grouped  chapels,  shrines,  and  altars. 

PLEASURE  PAVILIONS 

A  fifteen-minute  walk  north-west  from  Kyoto,  shrined 
within  an  adorable  little  garden,  stands  the  Kinkaku-ji, 
or  Golden  Pavilion,  built  in  the  twelfth  century  by  the 
Ashikaga  Shogun  Yoshimitzu.  Here  the  great  states- 
man retired  after  a  laborious  career,  to  meditate  at  his 


434  Old  Japan 

ease,  the  revered  master  of  a  coterie  of  poets,  painters, 
and  men  of  learning.  The  graceful  little  edifice  rises 
from  the  surface  of  a  lily-dotted  lakelet,  which  reflects 
its  golden  balconies,  from  whose  gently  curving  eaves 
hang  corroded  bells,  that  tinkle  with  the  breeze. 

GINKAKU-JI 

An  hour's  walk  north-east  of  Kyoto,  in  a  sequestered 
grove  of  pines,  maples,  and  cryptomeria  is  the  time- 
stained  Ginkaku-ji,  or  Silver  Pavilion. 

It  was  built  toward  the  end  of  the  thirteenth  century, 
by  the  Shogun  Yoshimasa,  as  a  companion  piece  to 
the  Golden  Pavilion,  Kinkaku-ji.  Within  its  gorgeous 
galleries  dwelt  a  throng  of  bonzes,  poetasters,  and 
libertines,  who  led  a  life  of  unbridled  sensuality. 

Yoshimasa  died  in  1490  and  the  dainty  Silver  struc- 
ture was  converted  into  a  temple. 

TOKUGAWA  PERIOD 

The  end  of  the  sixteenth  century  brought  the  down- 
fall of  the  Ashikaga.  After  the  revolt  of  the  barons 
under  Hideyoshi,  leyasu  founded  'the  Tokugawa 
dynasty,  removed  the  capital  to  Yedo,  and  closed 
Japan  from  the  outer  world. 

Under  the  shogunate  of  leyasu  was  established  a 
feudal  system  more  complete  than  that  of  Europe  during 
the  Middle  Ages,  and  the  succeeding  century  marks  the 
highest  tide  of  Japanese  civilization.  Buddhism  fell  into 


Notable  Japanese  Architecture        435 

disrepute,  and  with  the  revival  of  Shinto,  natural  wood 
gave  place  to  polychromatic  carving  and  burnished 
lacquer,  and  "Japanese  architecture  burst  from  its 
brown  chrysalis,  a  flaunting  butterfly  painted  with  the 
hues  of  dreams. " 

The  Sacred  Forest 
(Nikko) 

The  multi-columned  cryptomerias  loom 
In  serried  ranks,  like  vast  cathedral  choirs, 
Through  endless  vistas,  lifting  lofty  spires 

O'er  billowy  clouds  of  burgeoned  cherry  bloom, 

Whose  shedded  petals  waft  a  faint  perfume 
Mingled  with  incense  of  the  sacred  fires 
From  Shinto  shrines,  where  Tokugawa  sires 

Lie  in  the  sleep  of  time's  eternal  tomb. 

Through  towering  portals,  lichen-grown  and  grey, 
The  pilgrims  file  in  never-ending  line, 

Cicada-like  a  drowsy  chant  they  croon, 
And  at  the  temple-torii  kneel  and  pray, 

While  pendant  palms  in  silver  radiance  shine 
Beneath  the  benediction  of  the  moon. 

NIKKO 
"A  rose-red  city  half  as  old  as  Time." 

An  avenue  of  giant  cryptomerias  twenty  odd  miles 
long  leads  to  Nikko— an  avenue  of  cypress-like  trees 
with  coppery-grey  trunks  and  foliage  of  dull  green, 


436  Old  Japan 

aligned  so  closely  that  their  interlacing  roots  form  a 
continuous  wall  along  the  interminable  road,  beneath 
banks  abloom  with  azaleas  and  violets. 

"Vistas  of  pillared  shade,"  broken  only  by  an  occa- 
sional opening  where  a  village  thrusts  its  thick- 
thatched  roofs  the  silver  trunks  between. 

"  Never  use  the  word  magnificent  until  you  have  seen 
Nikko, "  says  a  Japanese  proverb.  And  well  might  one 
heed  this  admonition,  for  perhaps  in  all  the  world  there 
is  not  a  more  magnificent  mingling  of  Architecture  and 
Nature,  than  this  noble  mausoleum  of  the  Tokugawa 
Shoguns. 

Beneath  the  arching  vaults  of  the  sacred  forest,  in 
the  solemn  spell  of  its  ceaseless  silence,  unbroken  even 
by  the  song  of  birds,  we  feel  ourselves  in  an  abode  aloof 
from  strife,  where  dwell  only  Beauty  and  eternal 
Peace. 

Tradition  tells  that  a  Shinto  temple  stood  within  the 
sacred  grove  in  days  long  gone,  that  the  beloved  saint 
Kobo-Daishi  established  there  a  Buddhist  temple  in  the 
early  part  of  the  ninth  century.  But  it  was  not  until 
the  seventeenth  century,  when  the  body  of  the  great 
Shogun  leyasu  was  brought  thither  for  interment,  that 
Nikko  assumed  its  full  importance. 

Across  the  tearing  torrent  of  the  Daiya-gawa  arches 
a  blood-red  bridge,  upon  the  very  spot  where  Shodo- 
Shonin,  the  holy  priest,  first  crossed  the  river.  From 
that  time  only  the  Mikado,  Shogun,  and  pilgrims  are 


The  Three  Monkeys.     (Nikko) 


"  Evil,  one  must  never  mention, 
Never  see,  nor  ever  hear" 


Notable  Japanese  Architecture       437 

permitted  to  tread  the  Sacred  Bridge  which  gleams  like 
a  great  ruby  against  the  emerald  forest. 

At  the  extremity  of  an  avenue  of  towering  crypto- 
meria  stands  a  massive  granite  torii,  flanked  on  the  left 
by  a  lofty  pagoda  and  on  the  right  by  the  Sambut-so-do 
shrine.  A  broad  flight  of  flag-stones  leads  to  a  gate 
guarded  by  giant  Nios,  whose  menacing  mien  seems 
rather  to  threaten  than  to  invite  the  faithful  to  enter 
this  ornate  portal  sculptured  with  fabulous  imagery. 

Within  is  a  spacious  courtyard  cinctured  by  a  ver- 
milion wall.  Beneath  a  far-flung  cryptomeria  stands 
the  Stable  of  the  Sacred  Horse ;  under  whose  picturesque 
asymmetrical  eaves  are  carven  in  open-work,  with  the 
audacity  of  Gothic  grotesques,  three  little  apes.  One 
of  the  monkeys  holds  his  hands  to  his  mouth,  another 
is  stopping  his  ears,  and  the  third  blinding  his  eyes. 

And  the  carver's  plain  intention 
One  may  read,  engraven  clear: 

"Evil,  one  must  never  mention, 
Never  see,  nor  ever  hear!" 

At  the  foot  of  the  fore-court  is  a  cistern  of  holy  water. 
The  font  is  hollowed  from  a  great  granite  monolith 
and  covered  by  a  resplendent  ebony  and  brass  balda- 
chin, supported  by  twelve  ivory-white  shafts. 

Beyond  the  font  is  the  Kyozo  (Library  of  the  Sacred 
Books),  a  graceful  structure  with  delicately  curving 
copper  roofs.  From  its  intricate  brackets  hang  brass 


438  Old  Japan 

wind-bells,  and  the  eaves  are  embellished  with  a 
wealth  of  multicoloured  sculptures. 

Twenty  granite  steps  lead  to  a  second  terrace  shad- 
owed by  great-girthed  cryptomeria  bordered  by  a 
lichen-encrusted  balustrade.  Upon  the  right,  beneath 
a  brazen  baldachin,  hangs  the  great  bell,  which  remains 
stationary  and  is  rung  by  hurling  against  it  a  massive 
wooden  ram.  At  the  left  stand  a  delicate  bronze 
candelabrum  and  a  revolving  lantern  of  curiously  in- 
congruous design,  presented  to  the  shrine  by  Dutch 
traders  early  in  the  seventeenth  century. 

Beyond  looms  the  Yakush-do,  gorgeous  with  black 
and  gold  and  polychromatic  carving,  the  shrine  of  the 
patron  saint  of  leyasu,  a  masterpiece  of  surpassing  rich- 
ness; and  at  the  end  stands  a  gate,  the  Yomei-mon 
commanding  the  entry  to  the  third  terrace. 

Kipling  says  in  his  delightful  Letters  of  Marque: 

"Men  say  that  never  man  has  given  complete  drawings, 
details,  or  descriptions  of  the  Temples  of  Nikko.  Only  a 
German  would  try,  and  he  would  fail  in  spirit.  Only  a 
Frenchman  could  succeed  in  spirit  but  he  would  be  inac- 
curate. I  have  a  recollection  of  passing  through  a  door 
with  cloisonne*  hinges,  with  a  golden  lintel  and  red  lacquer 
jambs,  with  panels  of  tortoise-shell  lacquer  and  clamps  of 
bronze  tracery.  It  opened  into  a  half -lighted  hall  on  whose 
blue  ceiling  a  hundred  golden  dragons  romped  and  spat 
fire.  .  .  . 

"That  money,  lakhs  and  lakhs  of  money,  had  been  lav- 
ished on  the  wonder  impressed  me  but  little.  I  wished  to 
know  who  were  the  men  that,  when  the  cryptomerias  were 


Notable  Japanese  Architecture       439 

saplings,  had  spent  their  lives  on  a  niche  or  corner  of  the 
temple,  and  dying  passed  on  the  duty  of  adornment  to  their 
sons.  This  question  I  asked  my  guide  who  plunged  me  into 
a  tangle  of  Daimios  and  Shoguns.1 

|  After  a  while  the  builder's  idea  entered  into  my  soul. 

"  He  had  said:  'Let  us  build  blood-red  chapels  in  a  Cathe- 
dral.' So  they  planted  the  Cathedral  three  hundred  years 
ago,  knowing  that  tree-boles  would  make  the  pillars  and 
the  sky  the  roof." 

La  Farge  admirably  expressed  its  strange,  sad  charm 
in  his  scholarly  Artist's  Letters  from  Japan: 

"With  the  fatigue  and  repetition  of  the  innumerable 
beauties  of  gold  and  colour,  carving  and  bronze,  the  sense  of 
an  exquisite  art  brings  an  indefinable  sadness,  a  feeling  of 
humility,  and  the  nothingness  of  man.  It  is  as  if  they  said: 
'We  are  the  limit  of  human  endeavour.  Beyond  us  begins 
the  other  world,  and  we,  indeed,  shall  surely  pass  away,  but 
thou  remainest,  0  Eternal  Beauty.' " 

TOMB  OF  IEYASU 

Passing  the  Hall  of  Perfumes,  still  redolent  of  incense, 
we  pause  a  moment  before  the  Hall  of  the  Sacred  Dances, 
where  beneath  the  dim  interior  moves  a  ghostly  shadow: 
— a  Shinto  Priestess  in  white  robes  is  treading  the  mystic 
measures  of  her  immemorial  dance.  Within  the  tile- 
roofed  cloister  looms  a  white  and  gold  gate.  Over  its 
door,  in  a  bower  of  peonies,  sleeps  a  sculptured  cat,  the 
masterly  carving  of  the  renowned  left-handed  sculptor 
Jingoro  (Hidari). 

1  Osomi  and  Tategawa  were  the  architects  of  Nikko. 


44O  Old  Japan 

Beyond  the  golden-white  gate,  soft  carpeted  with 
velvet  moss,  rise  the  stone  steps  that  lead  to  the  tomb 
of  leyasu. 

Enclosed  by  a  granite  balustrade,  within  a  sun-lit 
clearing,  engroved  by  lofty  cryptomeria,  stands  the 
solemn  monument.  A  great  bronze-gate  of  superb 
craftsmanship  guards  the  entrance  of  the  sacred  shrine. 
Before  the  tomb  stand  the  Buddhist  symbols:  the  lotus, 
the  lion,  and  the  stork,  emblematical  of  purity,  power, 
and  long  life. 

The  simple  but  costly  tomb  is  placed  upon  a  pedestal 
of  five  polygonal  plinths  and  is  wrought  of  golden  bronze 
in  the  form  of  an  Indian  shrine.  A  domed  cylindrical 
shaft  crowned  by  a  curved  projecting  roof  rises  to  a 
finial  of  forked  flame.  The  Tokugawa  crest  adorns  the 
door  behind  whose  corroded  panels  repose  the  ashes  of 
the  famous  Shogun,  the  man  who  barred  from  Japan 
with  relentless  fury  "the  Three  Devils — Gunpowder, 
Christianity,  and  the  Portuguese." 

O  shade  of  the  immortal  leyasu,  the  one-time  hated 
"foreign  devil"  now  sates  his  profane  curiosity,  a  wel- 
come tourist  at  thy  tomb ! 

But  the  simple  majesty  of  his  resting  place  may  not 
be  described.  It  resides  perhaps  in  its  perfect  harmony 
between  Nature  and  Art.  The  symbol  of  the  nothing- 
ness of  man,  the  vanities  of  earthly  ambition,  and  the 
eternal  peace  of  Nirvana. 

The  ceaseless  click  of  clogs  echoes  from  the  distant 


Tomb  of  leyasu,  Nikko 


"Before  the  solemn  monument  stand  the  Buddhist  symbols:  The  lotus,  the 
lion,  and  the  stork,  emblematical  of  purity,  power,  and  long  life  " 


•c 


Notable  Japanese  Architecture       441 

temple.  The  wind  soughs  through  the  pines  like  the 
rush  of  many  waters.  Above,  a  flock  of  rooks  suddenly 
shrouds  the  sky,  then  wings  away  with  eerie,  raucous 
laughter.  A  clumsy  caterpillar  drags  its  viscous  shape 
across  the  stones.  Who  knows,  perchance  it  is  the 
mighty  Shogun  in  a  new  embodiment! 

DOMESTIC  ARCHITECTURE 

Simplicity  and  repose  are  the  key-notes  of  the 
Japanese  interior.  From  a  workman's  cottage  to  the 
palace  of  the  Mikado  the  principle  is  the  same.  All  but 
the  essential  is  ruthlessly  eliminated. 

There  are  no  displays  of  useless  furniture  and  bric-a- 
brac.  My  lady's  living-room  at  home  contains  more 
incongruous  superfluities  than  one  would  find  in  all  the 
combined  salons  of  Japan.  Only  the  necessary,  and 
that  disposed  with  the  utmost  refinement  and  loving 
craftsmanship. 

The  tokonoma,  a  niche  of  honour,  is  reserved  for 
some  choice  object,  a  vase  containing  a  simple  spray 
of  flowers,  an  image,  and  a  kakemono.  These  objects 
are  replaced  from  time  to  time  by  others  taken  from  the 
go-down  or  fire-proof  store-house. 

Everywhere  is  exquisite  cleanliness.  The  spotless 
mats  upon  the  floor  serve  in  place  of  chairs,  beds,  and 
tables.  Food  is  served  on  trays  about  the  hibachi  (a 
pot  of  glowing  charcoal  sunk  in  the  centre  of  the  floor). 
Futons,  wadded  quilts,  and  a  wooden  pillow,  designed 


442  Old  Japan 

to  preserve  the  elaborate  feminine  coiffure,  form  the 
furniture  of  the  night. 

Truly  the  essence  of  economy,  our  Oriental  cousins 
have  surely  solved  the  problem  of  the  high  cost  of  living 
and  reduced  to  the  ultimate  the  elements  of  the  simple 
life. 

As  one  looks  into  these  diminutive  dwellings,  the  entire 
house  scarcely  larger  than  an  American  drawing-room, 
and  finds  a  family  of  four  living  daintily  and  discreetly 
within  so  small  a  space,  one  sees  that  in  Japan  poverty 
is  not  the  necessary  synonym  for  filth,  licentiousness, 
and  crime. 

THE   JAPANESE   GARDEN 

Make  me  a  stave  of  song,  the  Master  said, 

On  yonder  cherry-bough,  whose  white  and  red 

Hangs  in  the  sunset  over  those  green  seas. 

The  young  knight  looked  upon  his  untried  blade, 

Then  shrugged  his  wings  of  gold  and  blue  brocade: 

How  should  a  warrior  play  with  thoughts  like  these  ? 

Fresh  from  the  battle,  in  that  self-same  hour, 
A  mail-clad  warrior  watched  each  delicate  flower 
Close  in  that  cloud  of  beauty  against  the  West, 
Drinking  the  last  deep  light,  he  watched  it  long. 
He  raised  his  face  as  if  to  pray.     The  strong, 
The  Master  whispered,  are  the  tenderest. 

ALFRED  NOYES. 

The  garden  is  above  all  things  a  picture,  or  more  truly 
a  symbol.  It  may  be  made  up  of  nothing  at  all,  only  a 


•o 
o 
o 


(Hokusai) 


Notable  Japanese  Architecture       443 

little  sand,  a  few  stones,  arranged  according  to  a  con- 
ventional ideal. 

If  not,  as  expressed  by  our  omniscient  guide,  Tanaka, 
it  is  not  a  garden,  it  is  "an  agglomeration. " 

The  picture  contains  invariably  foreground,  middle- 
distance,  and  distance;  but  the  scale  is  frequently  dim- 
inished to  miniature  dimensions.  The  symbol  varies. 
Quaint  suggestions  of  abstract  ideas,  that  to  the  Western 
mind  seem  almost  humorous,  are  favourite  embodi- 
ments. Peace,  Chastity,  Connubial  Happiness,  Sweet 
Solitude,  or  Calm  Old  Age.  At  the  bottom  of  it  all  is 
the  naive  search  for  simplicity,  naturalness,  and  repose. 

The  charm  of  Japan  is  as  subtle  and  elusive  as  that  of 
a  perfect  woman.  "Age  cannot  wither,  custom  stale 
her  infinite  variety."  It  is  an  indefinable  something 
at  once  simple  yet  exquisite;  the  infinite  sweetness  of 
smiling  Nature  and  the  refined  grace  and  supreme  dis- 
tinction of  Art.  "Art  here  seems  to  be  a  common  pos- 
session, has  not  been  apparently  separated  from  the 
masses,  from  the  original  feeling  of  mankind." 

After  even  a  short  sojourn  in  this  joyous  island  where 
even  the  humblest  peasant  wears  a  tranquil  smile,  it  is 
indeed  difficult  to  understand  the  view-point  of  our 
western  world  where  "life  resembles  a  race  in  which  the 
runners  press  forward  to  an  illusory  goal,  only  to  fall 
breathless  and  exhausted  before  they  reach  it. " 

"How  regretfully  does  one  recall  the  charming  manners  of 


444  Old  Japan 

the  most  highly  civilized  people  on  earth,  if  by  civilization 
we  mean  not  the  greater  sum  of  knowledge  which  makes  a 
man  his  neighbour's  superior  to  the  extent  of  being  able  to 
destroy  or  subdue  him,  but  the  most  exquisite  forms  of 
politeness  and  courtesy,  the  most  sincere  interchange  of 
service  and  goodwill."1 

Let  us  only  hope  that  this  artistic  nation,  so  happy  in 
its  innocence,  embarked  upon  the  sea  of  enlightenment, 
will  not  wreck  its  naive  simplicity  upon  the  rocks  of 
Western  commercialism. 

This  for  Japan  is  "The  White  Peril. " 

The  Isles  of  Innocence 

There  lies  a  country  eastward  of  Cathay, 
A  far-flung  archipelago  of  mountains  hoar, 
Looming  dim  snow-capped  cones  and  pine-clad  shore; 

Through  amethystine  mists  of  drifting  spray 

Where  laughing  children  ever  dance  and  play, 
And  joyance  bloometh  ever  on  the  earth 
And  sorrow  is  not,  neither  strife  nor  dearth, 

But  peace  abideth  ever  night  and  day. 

Upon  these  happy  isles  one  still  may  meet 
The  grace  and  chivalry  of  nobler  days, 

When  men  were  ever  bold,  yet  ever  kind, 
And  maids  demure,  obedient,  and  sweet, 
Content  to  worship,  minister,  and  praise. 

Where  innocence  is  bliss,  let  love  be  blind! 
1  Gaston  Migeon,  Conservator  of  the  Louvre  Museum. 


THE  END 


A  Selection  from  the 
Catalogue  of 

G.  P.  PUTNAM'S  SONS 


Complete  Catalogues  sent 
on  application 


The  Romance  of  Old 
Belgium 

By 
Elizabeth  W.  Champney 

Author  of  "Romance  of  the  Feudal  Chateaux," 
"  Romance  of  the  Roman  Villas,"  etc. 

With  Original  Pen-and-ink  Drawings  by  Albert 

Chandler  and  80  Other  Illustrations 

8°.    $3.50  net.    By  mail,  $3.75 

In  it  is  told  the  romantic  story  of  Belgium 
and  is  unfolded  the  rich  web  of  history  and 
tradition  that  the  eventful  centuries  have 
woven. 

The  list  of  contents  is  as  follows:  Part  I. 
(Loot):— The  She- Wolf's  Litter:  A  Legend  of 
the  Nervii — The  Lily  and  the  Bee :  A  Merovin- 
gian Romance — The  Sons  of  Aymon,  and  a 
Daughter  of  Charlemagne — A  Boar  of  the 
Ardennes:  Sequel  to  The  Sons  of  Aymon — A 
Tale  of  Tales:  The  Hermit's  Crusade — "An  It 
Please  Thee,  Philippa":  A  Lost  Chronicle  of 
Froissart. 

Part  II.  (Webs  of  Oudenaarde) : — An  Aban- 
doned Tapestry.  (An  Errant  Princess) — A  Rat 
i'  the  Arras.  (The  Story  of  Egmont)— The 
Abandoned  Tapestry — Waterloo — Blood  Kin- 
dred— Some  Notable  Examples  of  Belgian 
Architecture. 

G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons 
New  York  London 


By  Elizabeth    W.   Champney 


Romance  of  the  Feudal  Chateaux 

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(The  Renaissance) 
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Romance  of  Imperial  Rome 

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illustrations 
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and  Numerous  Other  Illustrations.    8°.    $3.50 

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Feudal — Renaissance — Bourbon 

a  vols.    8°.    With  1 16  Illustrations.    In  a  Box,  $7.00 

Carriage,  50  cents 

Previously  issued  in  3  vols.,  entitled  "Romance  of  the  Feudal  Cha- 
teaux." "Romance  of  the  Renaissance  Chateaux,"  "Romance  of  the 
Bourbon  Chateaux." 

N«W  York  G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons  London 


